Heterocyclic Cyclopamine Analogs and Methods of Use Thereof

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to steroidal alkaloids that can be used in the treatment of hedgehog pathway related disorders, particularly cancer.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application. No.60/893,595, filed Mar. 7, 2007, the contents of which are incorporatedherein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention generally relates to cyclopamine analogs,pharmaceutical compositions thereof, and methods for using such analogsand compositions. These compounds and compositions can be useful for thetreatment of hedgehog mediated disorders, such as cancer and psoriasis.

BACKGROUND

The Hedgehog polypeptide is a secreted protein that functions as asignaling ligand in the hedgehog pathway. Three different forms of thehedgehog protein are found in humans; Sonic hedgehog (Shh), Deserthedgehog (Dhh) and Indian hedgehog (Ihh). Sonic hedgehog is the mostprevalent hedgehog member in mammals and also is the best characterizedligand of the hedgehog family. Prior to secretion, Shh undergoes anintramolecular cleavage and lipid modification reaction. The lipidmodified peptide is responsible for signaling activities.

Inhibition of the hedgehog pathway in certain cancers has been shown toresult in inhibition of tumor growth. For example, anti-hedgehogantibodies have been shown to antagonize the function of the hedgehogpathway and inhibit the growth of tumors. Small molecule inhibition ofhedgehog pathway activity has also been shown to result in cell death ina number of cancer types.

Research in this area has focused primarily on the elucidation ofhedgehog pathway biology and the discovery of new hedgehog pathwayinhibitors. Although inhibitors of the hedgehog pathway have beenidentified, there still exists the need to identify more potentinhibitors of the hedgehog pathway.

SUMMARY

The present invention relates to analogs of cyclopamine, pharmaceuticalcompositions, and methods of using them. The invention includescompounds of the formulas (1a) and (1b):

-   and tautomers, saturated derivatives, and pharmaceutically    acceptable salts thereof;    -   wherein;    -   R¹ is H, alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, aryl, cycloalkyl, hydroxyl,        aralkyl, heteroaryl, heteroaralkyl, haloalkyl, —SR²⁰, —OR²⁰,        —C(O)R²⁰, —CO₂R²⁰, —OC(O)R²⁰, —C(O)N(R²⁰)(R²⁰), —S(O)R²⁰,        —S(O)₂R²⁰, —S(O)₂N(R²⁰)(R²⁰), —[(W)—C(O)]_(p)R²⁰,        —[(W)—C(O)O]_(p)R²⁰, —[(W)—OC(O)]_(p)R²⁰, —[(W)—SO₂]_(p)R²⁰,        —[(W)—N(R²⁰)SO₂]_(p)R²⁰, —[(W)—C(O)N(R²⁰)]_(p)R²⁰,        —[(W)—O]_(p)R²⁰, —[(W)—N(R²⁰)]_(p)R²⁰, or —[(W)—S]_(p)R²⁰;    -   each of R², R⁶ and R⁹ is independently H, alkyl, alkenyl,        alkynyl, cycloalkyl, heterocycloalkyl, aryl, aralkyl,        heteroaryl, heteroaralkyl, nitrile, alkoxyl, aryloxy, acyloxy,        halide, hydroxyl, amino, alkylamino, arylamino, acylamino,        aralkylamino, alkylseleno, aralkylseleno, arylseleno, alkylthio,        aralkylthio, or arylthio;    -   R³ is H; or R² and R³ taken together form a bond;    -   each of R⁴ and R⁵ independently is H, alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl,        aryl, cycloalkyl, nitrile, aralkyl, alkoxyl, aryloxy, acyloxy,        halide, sulfhydryl, alkylthio, arylthio, aralkylthio, hydroxyl,        amino, alkylamino, arylamino, acylamino, aralkylamino,        heteroaryl, or heteroaralkyl; or R⁴ and R⁵ taken together form        ═O, ═S, ═N(R²⁰), ═N—OR²⁰, or ═N(N(R²⁰)₂);    -   each of R⁷ and R⁸ independently is H, alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl,        aryl, cycloalkyl, heterocycloalkyl, or aralkyl; or R⁶ and R⁷        taken together form a bond; or R⁸ and R⁹ taken together form a        bond;    -   each of R¹⁰ and R¹¹ independently is H, alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl,        aryl, cycloalkyl, heterocycloalkyl, or aralkyl; or R⁹ and R¹⁰        taken together form a bond; or R¹⁰ and R¹¹ taken together form a        bond;    -   R²⁰ independently for each occurrence is H, alkyl, alkenyl,        alkynyl, aryl, cycloalkyl, heterocycloalkyl, aralkyl,        heteroaryl, heteroaralkyl, or —[C(R)₂]_(q)—R²¹; or any two        occurrences of R²⁰ can be taken together to form a 4-8 membered        optionally substituted ring which contains 0-3 heteroatoms        selected from N, O, S, and P;    -   R²¹ independently for each occurrence is H, cycloalkyl, aryl,        heteroaryl, heterocyclyl; alkoxyl, aryloxy, acyloxy, halide,        sulfhydryl, alkylthio, arylthio, aralkylthio, hydroxyl, amino,        acylamino, amido, or carbonyl-containing group;    -   R²² independently for each occurrence is H, halide, ester,        amide, or nitrite;    -   R²³ independently for each occurrence is H, alkyl, alkenyl,        alkynyl, cycloalkyl, aryl, aralkyl, heteroaryl, heteroaralkyl,        perhaloalkyl, halide, nitro, nitrile, —O, —SR²⁰, —OR²⁰,        —N(R²⁰)(R²⁰), —C(O)R²⁰, —CO₂R²⁰, —OC(O)R²⁰, —C(O)N(R²⁰)(R²⁰),        —N(R²⁰)C(O)R²⁰, —N(R²⁰)C(O)N(R²⁰)(R²⁰), —S(O)R²⁰, —S(O)₂R²⁰,        —S(O)₂N(R²⁰)(R²⁰), —N(R²⁰)S(O)₂R²⁰, or —[C(R)₂]_(q)—R²¹;    -   R²⁴ independently for each occurrence is H, alkyl, alkenyl,        alkynyl, cycloalkyl, aryl, aralkyl, heteroaryl, heteroaralkyl,        perhaloalkyl, halide, nitro, nitrile, —SR²⁰, —OR²⁰,        —N(R²⁰)(R²⁰), —C(O)R²⁰, —CO₂R²⁰, —OC(O)R²⁰, —C(O)N(R²⁰)(R²⁰),        —N(R²⁰)C(O)R²⁰, —N(R²⁰)C(O)N(R²⁰)(R²⁰), —S(O)R²⁰, —S(O)₂R²⁰,        —S(O)₂N(R²⁰)(R²⁰), —N(R²⁰)S(O)₂R²⁰, or —[C(R)₂]_(q)—R²¹;    -   p is 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, or 6;    -   q is 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, or 6;    -   R independently for each occurrence is H, alkyl, alkenyl,        alkynyl, cycloalkyl, aryl, aralkyl, heteroaryl, or        heteroarylalkyl;    -   -T¹-T²-T³- is Y-B-A, B-Y-A, or A-B-Y;    -   each of A and B independently is N, S or C(R²³);    -   W is a diradical;    -   X is a bond or —C(R²²)₂—;    -   Y is —O—, —S—, or —N(R²⁴)—; and    -   each alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, aryl, cycloalkyl, aralkyl,        heteroaryl, heteroaralkyl is optionally substituted.

The invention further includes pharmaceutical compositions comprising acompound as set forth above, and methods of using these compounds andcompositions for treatment of certain disorders and for inhibition ofthe hedgehog pathway in vitro or ex vivo, use of such compounds intherapy, and use of such compounds for the manufacture of a medicament.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION Definitions

The definitions of terms used herein are meant to incorporate thepresent state-of-the-art definitions recognized for each term in thechemical and pharmaceutical fields. The definitions apply to the termsas they are used throughout this specification, unless otherwise limitedin specific instances, either individually or as part of a larger group.

As used herein, the definition of each expression, e.g., alkyl, m, n,etc., when it occurs more than once in any structure, is intended to beindependent of its definition elsewhere in the same structure.

The term “acyl” as used herein refers to a group of the general formulaR—C(═O)—, where R can be H, alkyl, aryl, or aralkyl. In typical acylgroups, R is H or C1-C6 alkyl, which is optionally substituted, or R canbe aralkyl, wherein the aryl portion of the aralkyl is a 5-7 memberedaromatic or heteroaromatic ring, and the alkyl portion is a C1-C4alkylene group; and both the alkyl and aryl portions are optionallysubstituted as described herein for such groups. Benzyl,p-methoxybenzyl, and phenylethyl are examples of a typical aralkyl.

The term “acylamino” refers to a moiety that may be represented by thegeneral formula:

-   -   wherein R50 is as defined below, and R54 represents a hydrogen,        an alkyl, an alkenyl or —(CH₂)_(m)—R61, where m and R61 are as        defined below.

The terms “alkenyl” and “alkynyl” refer to unsaturated aliphatic groupsanalogous in length and possible substitution to the alkyls describedbelow, but that contain at least one double or triple bond respectively.Alkenyl and alkynyl groups may be substituted with the same groups thatare suitable as substituents on alkyl groups, to the extent permitted bythe available valences. Typical alkenyl and alkynyl groups contain 2-10carbons in the backbone structure.

The terms “alkoxyl” or “alkoxy” refers to an alkyl group, as definedbelow, having an oxygen radical attached thereto. Representative alkoxylgroups include methoxy, ethoxy, propyloxy, tert-butoxy and the like. Thealkyl portion of an alkoxy group is sized like the alkyl groups, and canbe substituted by the same groups that are suitable as substituents onalkyl groups, to the extent permitted by the available valences.

The term “alkyl” refers to the radical of saturated aliphatic groups,including straight-chain alkyl groups, branched-chain alkyl groups,cycloalkyl (alicyclic) groups, alkyl substituted cycloalkyl groups, andcycloalkyl substituted alkyl groups. In certain embodiments, a straightchain or branched chain alkyl has 30 or fewer carbon atoms in itsbackbone (e.g., C₁-C₃₀ for straight chain, C₃-C₃₀ for branched chain),20 or fewer. Typically, an alkyl group contains 1-10 carbon atoms as itsbackbone, and may be substituted or unsubstituted. Likewise, certaincycloalkyls have from 3-10 carbon atoms in their ring structure, and mayhave 5, 6 or 7 carbons in the ring structure. Unless otherwiseindicated, alkyl and cycloalkyl groups, whether alone or as part ofanother group such as an aralkyl group, can be substituted by suitablesubstituents such as, but not limited to, halogen, azide, oxo, acyl,cycloalkyl, hydroxyl, alkoxyl, amino, nitro, sulfhydryl, imino, oximino,amido, acylamino, phosphonate, phosphinate, carbonyl, carboxylic acidsor their esters or amides, silyl, alkoxy, alkylthio, alkylsulfonyl,alkylsulfonamido, ketone, aldehyde, ester, heterocyclyl, aromatic orheteroaromatic moieties, —CF₃, —CN, and the like.

Where alkyl, alkenyl, or alkynyl is part of another group, such as inalkoxy, alkylthio, etc., or it is a substituent on another group, it isfrequently an optionally substituted lower alkyl group or lower alkenylgroup, having up to six carbon atoms. For such purposes, the typicalsubstituents include halo, —OR′, —SR′, —SO₂R′, —SO₂NR′₂, COOR′, CONR′₂,oxo, —NR′₂, NR′C(O)R′, NR′C(O)OR′, NR′SO₂R′, OC(O)R′, where each R′ isindependently H or unsubstituted C1-C6 alkyl, C2-C6 alkenyl, or C2-C6alkynyl.

The term “alkylthio” refers to an alkyl group, as defined above, havinga sulfur radical attached thereto. In certain embodiments, the“alkylthio” moiety is represented by one of —S-alkyl, —S-alkenyl,—S-alkynyl, and —S—(CH₂)_(m)—R61, wherein m and R61 are defined below.Representative alkylthio groups include methylthio, ethyl thio, and thelike.

The terms “amido” and “amide” are art recognized as an amino-substitutedcarbonyl and include a moiety that may be represented by the generalformula:

wherein R50 and R51 are as defined below. Certain embodiments of theamide in the present invention will not include imides which may beunstable.

The terms “amine” and “amino” are art-recognized and refer to bothunsubstituted and substituted amines, e.g., a moiety that may berepresented by the general formulas:

-   -   wherein R50, R51, R52 and R53 each independently represent a        hydrogen, an alkyl, an alkenyl, —(CH₂)_(m)—R61, where R50 and        R51 (or R50 and R52 of the quaternary/charged form), taken        together with the N atom to which they are attached, complete a        heterocycle having from 4 to 8 atoms in the ring structure; R61        represents an aryl, a cycloalkyl, a cycloalkenyl, a heterocycle        or a polycycle; and m is zero or an integer in the range of 1        to 8. In other embodiments, R50 and R51 (and optionally R52)        each independently represent a hydrogen, an alkyl, an alkenyl,        or —(CH₂)_(m)—R61. Thus, the term “alkylamine” includes an amine        group, as defined above, having a substituted or unsubstituted        alkyl attached thereto, i.e., at least one of R50 and R51 is an        alkyl group.

The term “aralkyl”, as used herein, whether alone or as part of a groupname such as, for example, aralkyloxy, refers to an alkyl group asdescribed herein substituted with an aryl group as described herein(e.g., an aromatic or heteroaromatic group). Both the alkyl and the arylportion of each aralkyl group are typically optionally substituted.Typical aralkyl groups include, for example, groups of general formulaAr—(CH₂)_(t)—, where Ar represents an aryl ring and t is an integer from1-6.

The term “aryl” as used herein, whether alone or as part of another namesuch as ‘aryloxy’, includes 5-, 6- and 7-membered single-ring aromaticgroups that may include from zero to four heteroatoms selected from N, Oand S as ring members, as well as fused bicyclic an tricyclic systemsconsisting of such rings, for example, benzene, anthracene, naphthalene,pyrene, pyrrole, furan, thiophene, imidazole, oxazole, thiazole,triazole, pyrazole, pyridine, pyrazine, pyridazine and pyrimidine, andthe like. Those aryl groups having heteroatoms in the ring structure mayalso be referred to as “aryl heterocycles” or “heteroaromatics.” Thearomatic ring may be substituted at one or more ring positions with suchsubstituents as described above, for example, halogen, azide, alkyl,aralkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, cycloalkyl, hydroxyl, alkoxyl, amino, nitro,sulfhydryl, imino, amido, phosphonate, phosphinate, carbonyl,carbonyl-containing group, silyl, ether, alkylthio, sulfonyl,sulfonamido, ketone, aldehyde, ester, heterocyclyl, aromatic orheteroaromatic moieties, —CF₃, —CN, or the like. The term “aryl” alsoincludes polycyclic ring systems having two or more cyclic rings, oftentwo rings or three rings, in which two or more carbons are common to twoadjoining rings (the rings are “fused rings”) wherein at least one ofthe rings is aromatic, e.g., the other cyclic rings may be cycloalkyls,cycloalkenyls, cycloalkynyls, aryls and/or heterocyclyls. In someembodiments, each aryl is selected from phenyl, thiophene, furan,pyrrole, pyridine, pyrimidine, pyrazole, imidazole, oxazole, thiazole,isoxazole and isothiazole. Phenyl is sometimes preferred.

The term “Brønsted acid” refers to any substance that can act as ahydrogen ion (proton) donor.

The term “carbonyl-containing group” includes such moieties as may berepresented by the general formulas:

-   -   wherein X50 is a bond or represents an oxygen or a sulfur, and        each of R55 and R56 represents independently a hydrogen, an        alkyl, an alkenyl, —(CH₂)_(m)—R61 or a cation representing a        pharmaceutically acceptable salt, where m and R61 are defined        above. In some embodiments where a carbonyl-containing group is        present, it is a carboxylic acid or ester, or an acyloxy group;        X50 is O in such embodiments, and R55 or R56, whichever is        present, can be H or an optionally substituted alkyl group.

The term “diradical” refers to any of a series of divalent groups fromalkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, aryl, cycloalkyl, heterocycloalkyl, aralkyl,heteroaryl, and heteroaralkyl groups, each of which can be optionallysubstituted. For example,

-   is an alkyl diradical;

-   is also an alkyl diradical;

-   is an aralkyl diradical; and

-   is an (alkyl)heteroaralkyl diradical. Typical examples include    alkylenes of general structure (CH₂)_(x) where x is 1-6, and    corresponding alkenylene and alkynylene linkers having 2-6 carbon    atoms and one or more double or triple bonds; cycloalkylene groups    having 3-8 ring members; groups such as (CH₂)_(a)C(═O)(CH₂)_(b),    where a and b are each integers from 0-4; and aralkyl groups wherein    one open valence is on the aryl ring and one is on the alkyl portion    such as

-   and its isomers. The alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, aryl, cycloalkyl,    heterocycloalkyl, aralkyl, heteroaryl, and heteroaralkyl portions of    a diradical are optionally substituted as described above.

The term “haloalkyl”, as used herein, refers to an alkyl group whereanywhere from 1 to all hydrogens have been replaced with a halide. A“perhaloalkyl” is where all of the hydrogens have been replaced with ahalide.

The term ‘heteroalkyl’ and ‘heterocycloalkyl’ refer to alkyl andcycloalkyl groups as described herein, wherein at least one carbon atomof the alkyl or cycloalkyl portion is replaced by a heteroatom selectedfrom N, O and S. Typical examples include methoxymethyl, allylthioethyl,dimethylaminoethyl, and tetrahydrofuranyl.

The term “heteroatom” as used herein means an atom of any element otherthan carbon or hydrogen. Examples of heteroatoms include boron,nitrogen, oxygen, phosphorus, sulfur and selenium. In certainembodiments, each heteroatom is selected from N, O and S.

The terms “heterocyclyl” or “heterocyclic group” refer to 3- to10-membered ring structures, in some instances from 3- to 7-memberedrings, whose ring structures include at least one carbon atom and one tofour heteroatoms. Heterocycles can also be polycycles. Heterocyclylgroups include, for example, thiophene, thianthrene, furan, pyran,isobenzofuran, chromene, xanthene, phenoxathiin, pyrrole, imidazole,pyrazole, isothiazole, isoxazole, triazole, thiazole, oxadiazole,pyridine, pyrazine, pyrimidine, pyridazine, indolizine, isoindole,indole, indazole, purine, quinolizine, isoquinoline, quinoline,phthalazine, naphthyridine, quinoxaline, quinazoline, cinnoline,pteridine, carbazole, carboline, phenanthridine, acridine, pyrimidine,phenanthroline, phenazine, phenarsazine, phenothiazine, furazan,phenoxazine, pyrrolidine, oxolane, thiolane, oxazole, piperidine,piperazine, morpholine, lactones, lactams such as azetidinones andpyrrolidinones, sultams, sultones, and the like. The heterocyclic ringmay be substituted at one or more positions with such substituents asdescribed above, as for example, halogen, alkyl, aralkyl, alkenyl,alkynyl, cycloalkyl, hydroxyl, amino, nitro, sulfhydryl, imino, amido,phosphonate, phosphinate, carbonyl, carbonyl-containing group, silyl,ether, alkylthio, sulfonyl, ketone, aldehyde, ester, a heterocyclyl, anaromatic or heteroaromatic moiety, —CF₃, —CN, or the like.

The term “Lewis acid” refers to any substance that can act as anelectron pair acceptor.

Unless the number of carbons is otherwise specified, “lower alkyl” asused herein means an alkyl group, as defined above, but having from oneto ten carbons, in some embodiments from one to six carbon atoms in itsbackbone structure. Likewise, “lower alkenyl” and “lower alkynyl” havesimilar chain lengths. Certain alkyl groups are lower alkyls. In someembodiments, a substituent designated herein as alkyl is a lower alkyl.

As used herein, the term “nitro” means —NO₂; the term “halogen”designates —F, —Cl, —Br or —I; the term “sulfhydryl” means —SH; the term“hydroxyl” means —OH; and the term “sulfonyl” means —SO₂—.

The term “optionally substituted” as used herein indicates that aspecified group may be unsubstituted or it may be substituted with oneor more substituents to the extent consistent with the number ofavailable valences on the specified group. In some embodiments, eachoptionally substituted group is substituted with up to four substituentsor with 0-3 substituents.

The term “oxo” refers to a carbonyl oxygen (═O).

The terms “polycyclyl” or “polycyclic group” refer to two or more rings(e.g., cycloalkyls, cycloalkenyls, cycloalkynyls, aryls and/orheterocyclyls) in which two or more carbons are common to two adjoiningrings, e.g., the rings are “fused rings”. Rings that are joined throughnon-adjacent atoms are termed “bridged” rings. Each of the rings of thepolycycle may be substituted with such substituents as described above,as for example, halogen, alkyl, aralkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, cycloalkyl,hydroxyl, amino, nitro, sulfhydryl, imino, amido, phosphonate,phosphinate, carbonyl, carbonyl-containing group, silyl, ether,alkylthio, sulfonyl, ketone, aldehyde, ester, a heterocyclyl, anaromatic or heteroaromatic moiety, —CF₃, —CN, or the like.

The phrase “protecting group” as used herein means temporarysubstituents which protect a potentially reactive functional group fromundesired chemical transformations. Examples of such protecting groupsinclude esters of carboxylic acids, silyl ethers of alcohols, andacetals and ketals of aldehydes and ketones, respectively. The field ofprotecting group chemistry has been reviewed (Greene, T. W.; Wuts, P. G.M., Protective Groups in Organic Synthesis, 2^(nd) ed.; Wiley: New York,1991).

The term “sugar” as used herein refers to a natural or an unnaturalmonosaccharide, disaccharide or oligosaccharide comprising one or morepyranose and/or furanose rings. The sugar may be covalently bonded tothe steroidal alkaloid of the present invention through an ether linkageor through an alkyl linkage. In certain embodiments the saccharidemoiety may be covalently bonded to a steroidal alkaloid of the presentinvention at an anomeric center of a saccharide ring. Sugars mayinclude, but are not limited to ribose, arabinose, xylose, lyxose,allose, altrose, glucose, mannose, gulose, idose, galactose, talose,glucose, and trehalose.

The terms “triflyl”, “tosyl”, “mesyl”, and “nonaflyl” refer totrifluoromethanesulfonyl, p-toluenesulfonyl, methanesulfonyl, andnonafluorobutanesulfonyl groups, respectively. The terms “triflate”,“tosylate”, “mesylate”, and “nonaflate” refer totrifluoromethanesulfonate ester, p-toluenesulfonate ester,methanesulfonate ester, and nonafluorobutanesulfonate ester functionalgroups and molecules that contain said groups, respectively.

The term “thioxo” refers to a carbonyl sulfur (═S).

The abbreviations Me, Et, Ph, Tf, Nf, Ts, Ms represent methyl, ethyl,phenyl, trifluoromethanesulfonyl, nonafluorobutanesulfonyl,p-toluenesulfonyl and methanesulfonyl, respectively. A morecomprehensive list of the abbreviations utilized by organic chemists ofordinary skill in the art appears in the first issue of each volume ofthe Journal of Organic Chemistry; this list is typically presented in atable entitled Standard List of Abbreviations.

It will be understood that “substitution” or “substituted with” includesthe implicit proviso that such substitution is in accordance withpermitted valence of the substituted atom and the substituent, and thatthe substitution results in a stable compound, e.g., which does notspontaneously undergo transformation such as by rearrangement,cyclization, elimination, etc.

Where two groups are “taken together form a bond,” if the groups areattached to atoms that are not otherwise directly bonded to each other,they represent a bond between the atoms to which they are attached. Ifthe groups are on atoms that are directly bonded to each other, theyrepresent an additional bond between those two atoms. Thus, for example,when R² and R³ taken together form a bond, the structure —C(A)R²—C(B)R³—represents —C(A)═C(B)—.

The invention includes compounds of formula (1a) or (1b):

-   and the tautomers, saturated derivatives, and pharmaceutically    acceptable salts thereof;    -   wherein;    -   R¹ is H, alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, aryl, cycloalkyl, hydroxyl,        aralkyl, heteroaryl, heteroaralkyl, haloalkyl, —SR²⁰, —OR²⁰,        —C(O)R²⁰, —CO₂R²⁰, —OC(O)R²⁰, —C(O)N(R²⁰)(R²⁰), —S(O)R²⁰,        —S(O)₂R²⁰, —S(O)₂N(R²⁰)(R²⁰), —[(W)—C(O)]_(p)R²⁰,        —[(W)—C(O)O]_(p)R²⁰, —[(W)—OC(O)]_(p)R²⁰, [(W)—SO₂]_(p)R²⁰,        —[(W)—N(R²⁰)SO₂]_(p)R²⁰, —[(W)—C(O)N(R²⁰)]_(p)R²⁰,        —[(W)—O]_(p)R²⁰, —[(W)—N(R²⁰)]_(p)R²⁰, or —[(W)—S]_(p)R²⁰;    -   each of R², R⁶ and R⁹ is independently H, alkyl, alkenyl,        alkynyl, cycloalkyl, heterocycloalkyl, aryl, aralkyl,        heteroaryl, heteroaralkyl, nitrile, alkoxyl, aryloxy, acyloxy,        halide, hydroxyl, amino, alkylamino, arylamino, acylamino,        aralkylamino, alkylseleno, aralkylseleno, arylseleno, alkylthio,        aralkylthio, or arylthio;    -   R³ is H; or R² and R³ taken together form a bond;    -   each of R⁴ and R⁵ independently is H, alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl,        aryl, cycloalkyl, nitrile, aralkyl, alkoxyl, aryloxy, acyloxy,        halide, sulfhydryl, alkylthio, arylthio, aralkylthio, hydroxyl,        amino, alkylamino, arylamino, acylamino, aralkylamino,        heteroaryl, or heteroaralkyl; or R⁴ and R⁵ taken together form        ═O, ═S, ═N(R²⁰), ═N—OR²⁰, or ═N(N(R²⁰)₂);    -   each of R⁷ and R⁸ independently is H, alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl,        aryl, cycloalkyl, heterocycloalkyl, or aralkyl; or R⁶ and R⁷        taken together form a bond; or R⁸ and R⁹ taken together form a        bond;    -   each of R¹⁰ and R¹¹ independently is H, alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl,        aryl, cycloalkyl, heterocycloalkyl, or aralkyl; or R⁹ and R¹⁰        taken together form a bond; or R¹⁰ and R¹¹ taken together form a        bond;    -   R²⁰ independently for each occurrence is H, alkyl, alkenyl,        alkynyl, aryl, cycloalkyl, heterocycloalkyl, aralkyl,        heteroaryl, heteroaralkyl, or —[C(R)₂]_(q)—R²¹; or any two        occurrences of R²⁰ can be taken together to form a 4-8 membered        optionally substituted ring which contains 0-3 heteroatoms        selected from N, O, S, and P;    -   R²¹ independently for each occurrence is H, cycloalkyl, aryl,        heteroaryl, heterocyclyl; alkoxyl, aryloxy, acyloxy, halide,        sulfhydryl, alkylthio, arylthio, aralkylthio, hydroxyl, amino,        acylamino, amido, or a carbonyl-containing group;    -   R²² independently for each occurrence is H, halide, ester,        amide, or nitrile;    -   R²³ independently for each occurrence is H, alkyl, alkenyl,        alkynyl, cycloalkyl, aryl, aralkyl, heteroaryl, heteroaralkyl,        perhaloalkyl, halide, nitro, nitrile, ═O, —SR²⁰, —OR²⁰,        —N(R²⁰)(R²⁰), —C(O)R²⁰, —CO₂R²⁰, —OC(O)R²⁰, —C(O)N(R²⁰)(R²⁰),        —N(R²⁰)C(O)R²⁰, —N(R²⁰)C(O)N(R²⁰)(R²⁰), —S(O)R²⁰, —S(O)₂R²⁰,        —S(O)₂N(R²⁰)(R²⁰), —N(R²⁰)S(O)₂R²⁰, or —[C(R)₂]_(q)—R²¹;    -   R²⁴ independently for each occurrence is H, alkyl, alkenyl,        alkynyl, cycloalkyl, aryl, aralkyl, heteroaryl, heteroaralkyl,        perhaloalkyl, halide, nitro, nitrile, —SR²⁰, —OR²⁰,        —N(R²⁰)(R²⁰), —C(O)R²⁰, —CO₂R²⁰, —OC(O)R²⁰, —C(O)N(R²⁰)(R²⁰),        N(R²⁰)C(O)R²⁰, —N(R²⁰)C(O)N(R²⁰)(R²⁰), —S(O)R²⁰, —S(O)₂R²⁰,        —S(O)₂N(R²⁰)(R²⁰), —N(R²⁰)S(O)₂R²⁰, or [C(R)₂]_(q)—R²¹;    -   p is 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, or 6;    -   q is 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, or 6;    -   R independently for each occurrence is H, alkyl, alkenyl,        alkynyl, cycloalkyl, aryl, aralkyl, heteroaryl, or        heteroarylalkyl;    -   -T¹-T²-T³- is Y-B-A, B-Y-A, or A-B-Y;    -   each of A and B independently is N, S or C(R²³);    -   W is a diradical;    -   X is a bond or —C(R²²)₂—;    -   Y is —O—, —S—, or —N(R²⁴)—; and    -   and each alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, aryl, cycloalkyl,        heterocycloalkyl, aralkyl, heteroaryl, heteroaralkyl, whether        alone or part of another group, is optionally substituted.

Certain compounds of the present invention may exist in particulargeometric or stereoisomeric forms. The present invention contemplatesall such compounds, including cis- and trans-isomers, R- andS-enantiomers, diastereomers, (D)-isomers, (L)-isomers, the racemicmixtures thereof, and other mixtures thereof, as falling within thescope of the invention. Additional asymmetric carbon atoms may bepresent in a substituent such as an alkyl group. All such isomers, aswell as mixtures thereof, are intended to be included in this invention.Where tautomers are possible in a compound of the invention, theinvention includes each tautomeric form. Where stereochemistry of achiral center is not expressly depicted or described, the structureincludes each isomer at that center. Where the absolute stereochemistryof a compound is depicted in a drawing of a structure, the depictedisomer is a preferred embodiment; a racemic mixture of each specificallydepicted compound is also an embodiment of the invention.

In certain embodiments, each R⁶, R⁸, R⁹, R¹⁰, R¹¹ that is present in thecompounds of formula (1a) or (1b) is either H or alkyl. In someembodiments, the alkyl is preferably a C1-C6 alkyl that is optionallysubstituted; methyl, methoxymethyl, trifluoromethyl or ethyl issometimes preferred. In certain embodiments, each of R⁶, R⁸, R⁹, R¹⁰,and R¹¹ is H, and in some embodiments R⁹ is taken together with R⁸ toform a bond, or R¹⁰ is taken together with R¹¹ to form a bond.

In some of the above-described embodiments of the compounds of formula(1a) or (1b), R² and R³ taken together form a bond, so the carbons onwhich they appear in the formulas are connected by a double bond.

In some of the foregoing embodiments, R⁴ and R⁵ are each H; or R⁴ and R⁵taken together form ═O or ═S.

In some of the foregoing embodiments, Y is —O— or —N(R²⁴)—.

In some of the forgoing embodiments, X is a bond, and in others X isCH₂.

W in the foregoing embodiments is a diradical, which can be an alkylene,cycloalkylene, arylene, aralkyl diradical, or an (alkyl)arylalkyldiradical, or an (alkyl)heteroarylalkyl diradical. In some embodiments Wis an alkylene of the formula (CH₂)_(t), where t is 1-6 and often t is1-4. W, or any of its parts, can be substituted with the substituentsthat are typically suitable for an alkyl or aryl group.

In some embodiments, R¹ is defined in terms of W and p, where p is aninteger from 0-6; in some preferred embodiments, p is 1.

In some of the foregoing embodiments, R¹ is H or alkyl, includingoptionally substituted C1-C6 alkyl. In other embodiments, R¹ is an acylgroup, including C(═O)R²⁰ or COOR²⁰, where R²⁰ is as defined above.Specific examples of R²⁰ in these embodiments include methyl, ethyl,tert-butyl, phenyl and benzyl. In other embodiments, R¹ is OH. In otherembodiments, R¹ is SO₂R′, where R′ is C1-C6 alkyl.

In some of the foregoing embodiments, R⁶ and R⁷ are both H. In others,R⁶ and R⁷ taken together form a bond, so the bond connecting the carbonson which R⁶ and R⁷ are depicted is a double bond.

At each occurrence, R²⁰ is independently selected as described above. Insome of the foregoing embodiments, each R²⁰ that is present isindependently H or optionally substituted C1-C6 alkyl. Where two R²⁰occur on the same atom or on adjacent atoms, they can cyclize to form anoptionally substituted ring having 4-8 ring members as described above,and in some of the foregoing embodiments, two R²⁰ on the same atomcyclize to form a 5 or 6 membered ring having up to two heteroatomsselected from N, O, S and P as ring members. In some embodiments, atleast one R²⁰ is —[C(R)₂]_(q)—R²¹, and/or each R is H, and/or q is 0-2.

In formulas (1a) and (1b) and (6a) and (11b), -T¹-T²-T³- is fused to acyclohexane ring to form a fused heteroaromatic group as describedabove. In the foregoing embodiments, -T¹-T²-T³- sometimes representsCR²³—NR²⁴—N or CR²³—N—NR²⁴ or CR²³—O—N or CR²³—N—O. In other of theseembodiments, -T¹-T²-T³- represents N—O—CR²³ or N—NR²⁴—CR²³ orNR²⁴—N—CR²³. R²⁴ in such embodiments can be H or optionally substitutedC1-C6 alkyl, or C(O)R²⁰, CO₂R²⁰, CON(R²⁰)₂, or SO₂R²⁰; in theseembodiments, R²⁰ can be H or C1-C6 alkyl or aralkyl, such as benzyl. Inother embodiments of formulas (1a) and (1b) and (6a) and (11b),-T¹-T²-T³- is —S—CR²³—N— or —O—CR²³—N—. R²³ in all of the foregoingembodiments can be H, halide, or optionally substituted C1-C6 alkyl,including CF₃. Frequently in these embodiments, R²⁴ is H or C1-C6 alkylor —SO₂—[C1-C6 alkyl].

In some embodiments, the compound of formula (1a) is represented byformula (6a):

-   -   or a tautomer, saturated derivative, or pharmaceutically        acceptable salt thereof;    -   wherein;    -   R¹ is H, alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, aryl, cycloalkyl, hydroxyl,        aralkyl, heteroaryl, heteroaralkyl, haloalkyl, —SR²⁰, —OR²⁰,        —C(O)R²⁰, —CO₂R²⁰, —OC(O)R²⁰, —C(O)N(R²⁰)(R²⁰), —S(O)R²⁰,        —S(O)₂R²⁰, —S(O)₂N(R²⁰)(R²⁰), —[(W)—C(O)]_(p)R²⁰,        —[(W)—C(O)O]_(p)R²⁰, —[(W)—OC(O)]_(p)R²⁰, —[(W)—SO₂]_(p)R²⁰,        —[(W)—N(R²⁰)SO₂]_(p)R²⁰, —[(W)—C(O)N(R²⁰)]_(p)R²⁰,        —[(W)—O]_(p)R²⁰, —[(W)—N(R²⁰)]_(p)R²⁰, or —[(W)—S]_(p)R²⁰;    -   each of R⁴ and R⁵ independently is H, alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl,        aryl, cycloalkyl, nitrile, aralkyl, alkoxyl, aryloxy, acyloxy,        halide, sulfhydryl, alkylthio, arylthio, aralkylthio, hydroxyl,        amino, alkylamino, arylamino, acylamino, aralkylamino,        heteroaryl, or heteroaralkyl; or R⁴ and R⁵ taken together form        ═O or ═S;    -   R²⁰ independently for each occurrence is H, alkyl, alkenyl,        alkynyl, aryl, cycloalkyl, heterocycloalkyl, aralkyl,        heteroaryl, heteroaralkyl, or —[C(R)₂]_(q)—R²¹; or any two        occurrences of R²⁰ can be taken together to form a 4-8 membered        optionally substituted ring which contains 0-3 heteroatoms        selected from N, O, S, and P;    -   R²¹ independently for each occurrence is H, cycloalkyl, aryl,        heteroaryl, heterocycyl; alkoxyl, aryloxy, acyloxy, halide,        sulfhydryl, alkylthio, arylthio, aralkylthio, hydroxyl, amino,        acylamino, amido, or a carbonyl-containing group;    -   R²² independently for each occurrence is H, halide, ester,        amide, or nitrile;    -   R²³ independently for each occurrence is H, alkyl, alkenyl,        alkynyl, cycloalkyl, aryl, aralkyl, heteroaryl, heteroaralkyl,        perhaloalkyl, halide, nitro, nitrile, ═O, —SR²⁰, —OR²⁰,        —N(R²⁰)(R²⁰), —C(O)R²⁰, —CO₂R²⁰, —OC(O)R²⁰, —C(O)N(R²⁰)(R²⁰),        —N(R²⁰)C(O)R²⁰, —N(R²⁰)C(O)N(R²⁰)(R²⁰), —S(O)R²⁰, —S(O)₂R²⁰,        —S(O)₂N(R²⁰)(R²⁰), —N(R²⁰)S(O)₂R²⁰, or —[C(R)₂]_(q)—R²¹;    -   R²⁴ independently for each occurrence is H, alkyl, alkenyl,        alkynyl, cycloalkyl, aryl, aralkyl, heteroaryl, heteroaralkyl,        perhaloalkyl, halide, nitro, nitrile, —SR²⁰, —OR²⁰,        —N(R²⁰)(R²⁰), —C(O)R²⁰, —CO₂R²⁰, —OC(O)R²⁰, —C(O)N(R²⁰)(R²⁰),        —N(R²⁰)C(O)R²⁰, —N(R²⁰)C(O)N(R²⁰)(R²⁰), —S(O)R²⁰, —S(O)₂R²⁰,        —S(O)₂N(R²⁰)(R²⁰), —N(R²⁰)S(O)₂R²⁰, or —[C(R)₂]_(q)—R²¹;    -   p is 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, or 6;    -   q is 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, or 6;    -   R independently for each occurrence is H, alkyl, alkenyl,        alkynyl, cycloalkyl, aryl, aralkyl, heteroaryl, or        heteroarylalkyl;    -   -T¹-T²-T³- is Y-B-A, B-Y-A, or A-B-Y;    -   each of A and B independently is N, S or C(R²³);    -   W is a diradical;    -   X is a bond or —C(R²²)₂—;    -   Y is —O—, —S—, or —N(R²⁴)—; and    -   and each alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, aryl, cycloalkyl,        heterocycloalkyl, aralkyl, heteroaryl, heteroaralkyl, whether        alone or part of another group, is optionally substituted.

In some embodiments of the compounds of formula (6a), X is a bond, andin others X is CH₂.

In some of the foregoing embodiments of the compounds of formula (6a), Yis —O—, and in other such embodiments Y is —N(R²⁴)—. In suchembodiments, R²⁴ is as defined above, and in some embodiments R²⁴ is H,C1-C6 alkyl, or COOR²⁰, or SO₂R²⁰, where R²⁰ is C1-C6 alkyl oraryl-(C1-C6)alkyl, and wherein each alkyl or aryl is optionallysubstituted.

In such embodiments of the compounds of formula (6a), R¹ is as definedabove. In some of the foregoing embodiments, R¹ is H, C1-C6 alkyl,COOR²⁰, or SO₂R²⁰, where R²⁰ is C1-C6 alkyl or aryl-(C1-C6)alkyl, andwherein each alkyl or aryl is optionally substituted. In someembodiments, p is 1.

In other embodiments, the compound of formula (1b) is a compound offormula (11b):

-   -   or a tautomer, saturated derivative, or pharmaceutically        acceptable salt thereof;    -   wherein;    -   R¹ is H, alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, aryl, cycloalkyl, hydroxyl,        aralkyl, heteroaryl, heteroaralkyl, haloalkyl, —SR²⁰, —OR²⁰,        —C(O)R²⁰, —CO₂R²⁰, —OC(O)R²⁰, —C(O)N(R²⁰)(R²⁰), —S(O)R²⁰,        —S(O)₂R²⁰, —S(O)₂N(R²⁰)(R²⁰), —[(W)—C(O)]_(p)R²⁰,        —[(W)—C(O)O]_(p)R²⁰, —[(W)—OC(O)]_(p)R²⁰, —[(W)—SO₂]_(p)R²⁰,        —[(W)—N(R²⁰)SO₂]_(p)R²⁰, —[(W)—C(O)N(R²⁰)]_(p)R²⁰,        —[(W)—O]_(p)R²⁰, —[(W)—N(R²⁰)]_(p)R²⁰, or —[(W)—S]_(p)R²⁰;    -   each of R⁴ and R⁵ independently is H, alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl,        aryl, cycloalkyl, nitrile, aralkyl, alkoxyl, aryloxy, acyloxy,        halide, sulfhydryl, alkylthio, arylthio, aralkylthio, hydroxyl,        amino, alkylamino, arylamino, acylamino, aralkylamino,        heteroaryl, or heteroaralkyl; or R⁴ and R⁵ taken together form        ═O or ═S;    -   R²⁰ independently for each occurrence is H, alkyl, alkenyl,        alkynyl, aryl, cycloalkyl, heterocycloalkyl, aralkyl,        heteroaryl, heteroaralkyl, or —[C(R)₂]_(q)—R²¹; or any two        occurrences of R²⁰ can be taken together to form a 4-8 membered        optionally substituted ring which contains 0-3 heteroatoms        selected from N, O, S, and P;    -   R²¹ independently for each occurrence is H, cycloalkyl, aryl,        heteroaryl, heterocycyl; alkoxyl, aryloxy, acyloxy, halide,        sulfhydryl, alkylthio, arylthio, aralkylthio, hydroxyl, amino,        acylamino, amido, or a carbonyl-containing group;    -   R²² independently for each occurrence is H, halide, ester,        amide, or nitrile;    -   R²³ independently for each occurrence is H, alkyl, alkenyl,        alkynyl, cycloalkyl, aryl, aralkyl, heteroaryl, heteroaralkyl,        perhaloalkyl, halide, nitro, nitrile, ═O, —SR²⁰, —OR²⁰,        —N(R²⁰)(R²⁰), —C(O)R²⁰, —CO₂R²⁰ _(, —OC(O)R) ²⁰,        —C(O)N(R²⁰)(R²⁰), —N(R²⁰)C(O)R²⁰, —N(R²⁰)C(O)N(R²⁰)(R²⁰),        —S(O)R²⁰, —S(O)₂R²⁰, —S(O)₂N(R²⁰)(R²⁰), —N(R²⁰)S(O)₂R²⁰, or        —[C(R)₂]_(q)—R²¹;    -   R²⁴ independently for each occurrence is H, alkyl, alkenyl,        alkynyl, cycloalkyl, aryl, aralkyl, heteroaryl, heteroaralkyl,        perhaloalkyl, halide, nitro, nitrile, —SR²⁰, —OR²⁰,        —N(R²⁰)(R²⁰), —C(O)R²⁰, —CO₂R²⁰, —OC(O)R²⁰, —C(O)N(R²⁰)(R²⁰),        —N(R²⁰)C(O)R²⁰, —N(R²⁰)C(O)N(R²⁰)(R²⁰), —S(O)R²⁰, —S(O)₂R²⁰,        —S(O)₂N(R²⁰)(R²⁰), —N(R²⁰)S(O)₂R²⁰, or —[C(R)₂]_(q)—R²¹;    -   p is 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, or 6;    -   q is 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, or 6;    -   R independently for each occurrence is H, alkyl, alkenyl,        alkynyl, cycloalkyl, aryl, aralkyl, heteroaryl, or        heteroarylalkyl;    -   -T¹-T²-T³- is Y-B-A, B-Y-A, or A-B-Y;    -   each of A and B independently is N, S or C(R²³);    -   W is a diradical;    -   X is a bond or —C(R²²)₂—;    -   Y is —O—, —S—, or —N(R²⁴)—; and    -   and each alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, aryl, cycloalkyl,        heterocycloalkyl, aralkyl, heteroaryl, heteroaralkyl, whether        alone or part of another group, is optionally substituted.

In some embodiments of the compounds of formula (11b), X is a bond, andin others X is CH₂.

In some of the foregoing embodiments of the compounds of formula (11b),Y is —O—, and in other such embodiments Y is —N(R²⁴)—. In suchembodiments, R²⁴ is as defined above, and in some embodiments R²⁴ is H,C1-C6 alkyl, or COOR²⁰, or SO₂R²⁰, where R²⁰ is C1-C6 alkyl oraryl-(C1-C6)alkyl, and wherein each alkyl or aryl is optionallysubstituted.

In such embodiments of the compounds of formula (11b), R¹ is as definedabove. In some of the foregoing embodiments, R¹ is H, C1-C6 alkyl,COOR²⁰, or SO₂R²⁰, where R²⁰ is C1-C6 alkyl or aryl-(C1-C6)alkyl, andwherein each alkyl or aryl is optionally substituted. In someembodiments, p is 1.

In certain embodiments, the compound of formula (1a) or (1b) is selectedfrom the following compounds and their tautomers and pharmaceuticallyacceptable salts:

The pharmaceutically acceptable salts of the compounds of the presentinvention include the conventional nontoxic salts or quaternary ammoniumsalts of the compounds, e.g., from non-toxic organic or inorganic acids.For example, such conventional nontoxic salts include those derived frominorganic acids such as hydrochloride, hydrobromic, sulfuric, sulfamic,phosphoric, nitric, and the like; and the salts prepared from organicacids such as acetic, propionic, succinic, glycolic, stearic, lactic,malic, tartaric, citric, ascorbic, palmitic, maleic, hydroxymaleic,phenylacetic, glutamic, benzoic, salicyclic, sulfanilic,2-acetoxybenzoic, fumaric, toluenesulfonic, methanesulfonic, ethanedisulfonic, oxalic, isothionic, and the like.

In other cases, the compounds of the present invention may contain oneor more acidic functional groups and, thus, are capable of formingpharmaceutically-acceptable salts with pharmaceutically-acceptablebases. The term “pharmaceutically-acceptable salts” in these instancesrefers to the relatively non-toxic, inorganic and organic base additionsalts of compounds of the present invention. These salts can likewise beprepared in situ in the administration vehicle or the dosage formmanufacturing process, or by separately reacting the purified compoundin its free acid form with a suitable base, such as the hydroxide,carbonate or bicarbonate of a pharmaceutically-acceptable metal cation,with ammonia, or with a pharmaceutically-acceptable organic primary,secondary or tertiary amine. Representative alkali or alkaline earthsalts include the lithium, sodium, potassium, calcium, magnesium, andaluminum salts and the like. Representative organic amines useful forthe formation of base addition salts include ethylamine, diethylamine,ethylenediamine, ethanolamine, diethanolamine, piperazine and the like.(See, for example, Berge, et al., supra)

In another aspect, the invention provides a pharmaceutical compositioncomprising at least one compound of formula (1a) or (1b), as describedin any of the above embodiments, or a pharmaceutically acceptable saltthereof, admixed with at least one pharmaceutically acceptableexcipient. In some embodiments, the compound in the pharmaceuticalcomposition is a compound of formula (6a) or (11b), according to any ofthe above embodiments.

In another aspect, the invention provides a method of treating acondition mediated by the hedgehog pathway, including administering to asubject an effective amount of a compound described herein. Theinvention also provides a method of antagonizing the hedgehog pathway ina subject, including administering to the subject an effective amount ofa compound described herein. The invention also provides a method oftreating cancer in a subject, including administering to a subject atherapeutically effective amount of a compound described herein. Suchcancers include cancers of the central nervous system and cancers of thegastrointestinal tract. The invention further provides a method ofinhibiting activation of a hedgehog pathway in a patient diagnosed witha hyperproliferative disorder, including administering to the patient acompound described herein in an amount sufficient to reduce theactivation of the hedgehog pathway in a cell of the patient.

The invention further provides compounds of formula (1a), (1b), (6a)and/or (11b) and pharmaceutical compositions thereof for use in therapy.It further provides compounds of formula (1a), (1b), (6a) and/or (11b)for use in the manufacture of a medicament. It further providescompounds of formula (1a), (1b), (6a) and/or (11b) for use inmanufacture of a medicament to treat disorders mediated by the hedgehogpathway, including cancers as described herein.

In another aspect, the invention provides a method to treat a subjectafflicted by excessive activity of a hedgehog pathway, which comprisesadministering to the subject at least one compound of formula (1a) or(1b), as described in any of the above embodiments, or apharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, or a pharmaceuticalcomposition thereof. In some embodiments, the compound in thepharmaceutical composition is a compound of formula (6a) or (11b),according to any of the above embodiments. In some embodiments, thesubject is a subject diagnosed with a hyperproliferative disorder, andin some embodiments, the hyperproliferative disorder is cancer.

Synthesis of Steroidal Alkaloid Compounds

The steroidal alkaloid derivatives described above can be prepareddirectly from naturally occurring steroidal alkaloids or syntheticanalogs thereof. In certain instances, the steroidal alkaloid startingmaterials can be cyclopamine or jervine. These steroidal alkaloids canbe purchased commercially or extracted from Veratrum californicum. Forconvenience, the rings of the compounds of the invention that areanalogous to those of cyclopamine will sometimes be described by analogyto the rings of cyclopamine, for which the rings are identified as ringsA-F:

The compounds described above can be synthesized in any number of ways,using combinations of methods that are well known in the art. In certaininstances, the compounds are synthesized by condensing 1-keto-3-alsderived from steroidal compounds such as cyclopamine with variousbi-functional nucleophiles, such as substituted and unsubstitutedhydrazines, N-hydroxylamines, or N-mercapto amines.1-Keto-3-(N-chloro)-imines can be condensed with unsubstitutedhydrazines, N-hydro-amines, or N-mercapto amines to access a widevariety of 5 membered heterocycles. [3+2] Cyclo-additions on compoundshaving a double bond in the A-ring, for example, can be used to accesspyrrolidines, isoxazolidines, 1,2,3-triazines, and unsaturatedderivatives thereof. Alpha halo ketones can be condensed with primarythio-amides to access thioazoles.

In certain instances, the compounds of the present invention may containa six or seven membered D-ring. Briefly, as illustrated by the examplein Scheme A, the seven membered D-ring analogs may be accessed bycyclopropanating the D-ring of a suitable steroidal alkaloid followed bytreating the resulting cyclopropanated product with a Lewis or Brønstedacid to catalyze a ring expansion rearrangement to yield the sevenmembered D-ring analogs.

This ring expansion of the D-ring can be performed before or after othermodifications to the structure, such as modifications of rings A and B,or addition of other fused rings as described herein. These ringexpanded analogs may be further functionalized using a variety offunctionalization reactions known in the art. Representative examplesinclude palladium coupling reactions to alkenylhalides or aryl halides,oxidations, reductions, reactions with nucleophiles, reactions withelectrophiles, pericyclic reactions, installation of protecting groups,removal of protecting groups, and the like.

Pharmaceutical Compositions

The compounds disclosed herein or salts thereof may be formulated intocomposition suitable for administration, using one or morepharmaceutically acceptable carriers (additives) and/or diluents. Thepharmaceutical compositions may be specially formulated foradministration in solid or liquid form, including those adapted for thefollowing: (1) oral administration, for example, drenches (aqueous ornon-aqueous solutions or suspensions), tablets, e.g., those targeted forbuccal, sublingual, and systemic absorption, capsules, boluses, powders,granules, pastes for application to the tongue; (2) parenteraladministration, for example, by subcutaneous, intramuscular, intravenousor epidural injection as, for example, a sterile solution or suspension,or sustained-release formulation; (3) topical application, for example,as a cream, ointment, or a controlled-release patch or spray applied tothe skin; (4) intravaginally or intrarectally, for example, as apessary, cream or foam; (5) sublingually; (6) ocularly; (7)transdermally; (8) pulmonarily, or (9) nasally.

Examples of suitable aqueous and nonaqueous carriers which may beemployed in the pharmaceutical compositions include water, an aqueousbuffer such as PBS, ethanol, polyols (such as glycerol, propyleneglycol, polyethylene glycol, and the like), and suitable mixturesthereof, vegetable oils, such as olive oil, and injectable organicesters, such as ethyl oleate. Proper fluidity can be maintained, forexample, by the use of coating materials, such as lecithin, by themaintenance of the required particle size in the case of dispersions,and by the use of surfactants.

These compositions may also contain adjuvants such as preservatives,wetting agents, emulsifying agents, dispersing agents, lubricants,and/or antioxidants. Prevention of the action of microorganisms upon thecompounds disclosed herein may be ensured by the inclusion of variousantibacterial and antifungal agents, for example, paraben,chlorobutanol, phenol sorbic acid, and the like. It may also bedesirable to include isotonic agents, such as sugars, sodium chloride,and the like into the compositions. In addition, prolonged absorption ofthe injectable pharmaceutical form may be brought about by the inclusionof agents which delay absorption such as aluminum monostearate andgelatin.

Methods of preparing these formulations or compositions include the stepof bringing into association a compound with the carrier and,optionally, one or more accessory ingredients. In general, theformulations are prepared by uniformly and intimately bringing intoassociation a compound with liquid carriers, or finely divided solidcarriers, or both, and then, if necessary, shaping the product.

When the compounds disclosed herein are administered as pharmaceuticals,to humans and animals, they can be given per se or as a pharmaceuticalcomposition containing, for example, about 0.1 to 99%, or about 10 to50%, or about 10 to 40%, or about 10 to 30, or about 10 to 20%, or about10 to 15% of active ingredient in combination with a pharmaceuticallyacceptable carrier.

Actual dosage levels of the active ingredients in the pharmaceuticalcompositions may be varied so as to obtain an amount of the activeingredient which is effective to achieve the desired therapeuticresponse for a particular patient, composition, and mode ofadministration, without being toxic to the patient.

The selected dosage level will depend upon a variety of factorsincluding the activity of the particular compound employed, or theester, salt or amide thereof, the route of administration, the time ofadministration, the rate of excretion or metabolism of the particularcompound being employed, the rate and extent of absorption, the durationof the treatment, other drugs, compounds and/or materials used incombination with the particular compound employed, the age, sex, weight,condition, general health and prior medical history of the patient beingtreated, and like factors well known in the medical arts.

In general, a suitable daily dose of a compound disclosed herein will bethat amount of the compound which is the lowest dose effective toproduce a therapeutic effect. Such an effective dose will generallydepend upon the factors described above. Generally, oral, intravenousand subcutaneous doses of the compounds for a patient, when used for theindicated effects, will range from about 0.0001 to about 200 mg, orabout 0.001 to about 100 mg, or about 0.01 to about 100 mg, or about 0.1to about 100 mg per, or about 1 to about 50 mg per kilogram of bodyweight per day.

The compounds can be administered daily, every other day, three times aweek, twice a week, weekly, or bi-weekly. The dosing schedule caninclude a “drug holiday,” i.e., the drug can be administered for twoweeks on, one week off, or three weeks on, one week off, or four weekson, one week off, etc., or continuously, without a drug holiday. Thecompounds can be administered orally, intravenously, intraperitoneally,topically, transdermally, intramuscularly, subcutaneously, intranasally,sublingually, or by any other route.

The subject receiving this treatment is any animal in need, includingprimates, in particular humans, and other mammals such as equines,cattle, swine and sheep; and poultry and pets in general.

Methods of Treatment

Hedgehog signaling is essential in many stages of development,especially in formation of left-right symmetry. Loss or reduction ofhedgehog signaling leads to multiple developmental deficits andmalformations, one of the most striking of which is cyclopia.

Many tumors and proliferative conditions have been shown to depend onthe hedgehog pathway. The growth of such cells and survival can beaffected by treatment with the compounds disclosed herein. Recently, ithas been reported that activating hedgehog pathway mutations occur insporadic basal cell carcinoma (Xie et al. (1998) Nature 391: 90-2) andprimitive neuroectodermal tumors of the central nervous system(Reifenberger et al. (1998) Cancer Res 58: 1798-803). Uncontrolledactivation of the hedgehog pathway has also been shown in numerouscancer types such as GI tract cancers including pancreatic, esophageal,gastric cancer (Berman et al. (2003) Nature 425: 846-51, Thayer et al.(2003) Nature 425: 851-56) lung cancer (Watkins et al. (2003) Nature422: 313-317, prostate cancer (Karhadkar et at (2004) Nature 431:707-12, Sheng et al. (2004) Molecular Cancer 3: 29-42, Fan et al. (2004)Endocrinology 145: 3961-70), breast cancer (Kubo et al. (2004) CancerResearch 64: 6071-74, Lewis et al. (2004) Journal of Mammary GlandBiology and Neoplasia 2: 165-181) and hepatocellular cancer (Sicklick etal. (2005) ASCO conference, Mohini et al. (2005) AACR conference).

For example, small molecule inhibition of the hedgehog pathway has beenshown to inhibit the growth of basal cell carcinoma (Williams, et al.,2003 PNAS 100: 4616-21), medulloblastoma (Berman et al., 2002 Science297: 1559-61), pancreatic cancer (Berman et al., 2003 Nature 425:846-51), gastrointestinal cancers (Berman et al., 2003 Nature 425:846-51, published PCT application WO 05/013800), esophageal cancer(Berman et al., 2003 Nature 425: 846-51), lung cancer (Watkins et al.,2003. Nature 422: 313-7), and prostate cancer (Karhadkar et al., 2004.Nature 431: 707-12). Accordingly, the compounds and compositionsdisclosed herein are useful for treatment of medulloblastoma andpancreatic cancers, gastrointestincal cancer, lung cancer and prostatecancer.

In addition, it has been shown that many cancer types have uncontrolledactivation of the hedgehog pathway, for example, breast cancer (Kubo etal., 2004. Cancer Research 64: 6071-4), heptacellular cancer (Patil etal., 2005. 96^(th) Annual AACR conference, abstract #2942 Sicklick etal., 2005. ASCO annual meeting, abstract #9610), hematologicalmalignancies (Watkins and Matsui, unpublished results), basal carcinoma(Bale & Yu, 2001. Human Molec. Genet. 10:757-762 Xie et al., 1998 Nature391: 90-92), medulloblastoma (Pietsch et al., 1997. Cancer Res. 57:2085-88), and gastric cancer (Ma et al., 2005 Carcinogenesis May 19,2005 (Epub)). In addition, investigators have found that small moleculeinhibition of the hedgehog pathway has been shown to ameliorate thesymptoms of psoriasis (Tas, et al., 2004 Dermatology 209: 126-131). Asshown in the Examples, the compounds disclosed herein have been shown tomodulate the hedgehog pathway, and selected compounds have been shown toinhibit tumor growth. It is therefore believed that these compounds canbe useful to treat a variety of hyperproliferative disorders, such asvarious cancers.

Proliferative disorders that can be treated using the methods disclosedherein include: lung cancer (including small cell lung cancer and nonsmall cell lung cancer), other cancers of the pulmonary system,medulloblastoma and other brain cancers, pancreatic cancer, basal cellcarcinoma, breast cancer, prostate cancer and other genitourinarycancers, gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST) and other cancers of thegastrointestinal tract, colon cancer, colorectal cancer, ovarian cancer,cancers of the hematopoietic system (including multiple myeloma, acutelymphocytic leukemia, acute myelocytic leukemia, chronic myelocyticleukemia, chronic lymphocytic leukemia, Hodgkin lymphoma, andnon-Hodgkin lymphoma, and myelodysplastic syndrome), polycythemia Vera,Waldenstrom's macroglobulinemia, heavy chain disease, soft-tissuesarcomas, such as fibrosarcoma, myxosarcoma, liposarcoma,chondrosarcoma, osteogenic sarcoma, chordoma, angiosarcoma,endotheliosarcoma, lymphangiosarcoma, lymphangioendotheliosarcoma,synovioma, mesothelioma, Ewing's tumor, leiomyosarcoma,rhabdomyosarcoma, squamous cell carcinoma, basal cell carcinoma,melanoma, and other skin cancers, adenocarcinoma, sweat gland carcinoma,sebaceous gland carcinoma, papillary carcinoma, papillaryadenocarcinomas, stadenocarcinoma, medullary carcinoma, bronchogeniccarcinoma, renal cell carcinoma, hepatoma, bile duct carcinoma,choriocarcinoma, seminoma, embryonal carcinoma, Wilms' tumor, cervicalcancer, uterine cancer, testicular cancer, bladder carcinoma, and othergenitourinary cances, epithelial carcinoma, glioma, astrocytoma,medulloblastoma, craniopharyngioma, ependymoma, pinealoma,hemangioblastoma, acoustic neuroma, oligodendroglioma, meningioma,neuroblastoma, retinoblastoma, endometrial cancer, follicular lymphoma,diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, mantle cell lymphoma, hepatocellularcarcinoma, thyroid cancer, gastric cancer, esophageal cancer, head andneck cancer, small cell cancers, essential thrombocythemia, agnogenicmyeloid metaplasia, hypereosinophilic syndrome, systemic mastocytosis,familiar hypereosinophilia, chronic eosinophilic leukemia, thyroidcancer, neuroendocrine cancers, and carcinoid tumors. Additionaldisorders include Gorlin's syndrome and psoriasis

The subject receiving this treatment is any animal in need, includingprimates, in particular humans, and other mammals such as equines,cattle, swine and sheep; and poultry and pets in general.

The hedgehog inhibitors disclosed herein can be combined with othercancer treatments. For example, they can be combined with surgicaltreatments; radiation; biotherapeutics (such as interferons,cytokines—e.g. Interferon α, Interferon γ, and tumor necrosis factor,hematopoietic growth factors, monoclonal serotherapy, vaccines andimmunostimulants); antibodies (e.g. Avastin, Erbitux, Rituxan, andBexxar); endocrine therapy (including peptide hormones, corticosteroids,estrogens, androgens and aromatase inhibitors); anti-estrogens (e.g.Tamoxifen, Raloxifene, and Megestrol); LHRH agonists (e.g. goscrclin andLeuprolide acetate); anti-androgens (e.g. flutamide and Bicalutamide);gene therapy; bone marrow transplantation; photodynamic therapies (e.g.vertoporfin (BPD-MA), Phthalocyanine, photosensitizer Pc4, andDemethoxy-hypocrellin A (2BA-2-DMHA)); and chemotherapeutics.

Examples of chemotherapeutics include gemcitabine, methotrexate, taxol,mercaptopurine, thioguanine, hydroxyurea, cytarabine, cyclophosphamide,ifosfamide, nitrosoureas, cisplatin, carboplatin, mitomycin,dacarbazine, procarbizine, etoposides, prednisolone, dexamethasone,cytarbine, campathecins, bleomycin, doxorubicin, idarubicin,daunorubicin, dactinomycin, plicamycin, mitoxantrone, asparaginase,vinblastine, vincristine, and vinorelbine. Additional agents includenitrogen mustards (e.g. cyclophosphamide, Ifosfamide, Trofosfamide,Chlorambucil, Estramustine, and Melphalan), nitrosoureas (e.g.carmustine (BCNU) and Lomustine (CCNU)), alkylsulphonates (e.g. busulfanand Treosulfan), triazenes (e.g. Dacarbazine and Temozolomide), platinumcontaining compounds (e.g. Cisplatin, Carboplatin, and oxaliplatin),vinca alkaloids (e.g. vincristine, Vinblastine, Vindesine, andVinorelbine), taxoids (e.g. paclitaxel and Docetaxol), epipodophyllins(e.g. etoposide, Teniposide, Topotecan, 9-Aminocamptothecin,Camptoirinotecan, Crisnatol, Mytomycin C, and Mytomycin C),anti-metabolites, DHFR inhibitors (e.g. methotrexate and Trimetrexate),IMP dehydrogenase Inhibitors (e.g. mycophenolic acid, Tiazofurin,Ribavirin, and EICAR), ribonuclotide reductase Inhibitors (e.g.hydroxyurea and Deferoxamine), uracil analogs (e.g. Fluorouracil,Floxuridine, Doxifluridine, Ratitrexed, and Capecitabine), cytosineanalogs (e.g. cytarabine (ara C), Cytosine arabinoside, andFludarabine), purine analogs (e.g. mercaptopurine and Thioguanine),Vitamin D3 analogs (e.g. EB 1089, CB 1093, and KB 1060), isoprenylationinhibitors (e.g. Lovastatin), dopaminergic neurotoxins (e.g.1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium ion), cell cycle inhibitors (e.g.staurosporine), actinomycins (e.g. Actinomycin D and Dactinomycin),bleomycins (e.g. bleomycin A2, Bleomycin B2, and Peplomycin),anthracyclines (e.g. daunorubicin, Doxorubicin (adriamycin), Idarubicin,Epirubicin, Pirarubicin, Zorubicin, and Mitoxantrone), MDR inhibitors(e.g. verapamil), Ca²⁺ ATPase inhibitors (e.g. thapsigargin), imatinib,thalidomide, lenalidomide, erlotinib, gefitinib, sorafenib, andsunitinib, and proteasome inhibitors, including bortezomib.

When the hedgehog inhibitors disclosed herein are administered incombination with other treatments, such as additional therapeutics orwith radiation or surgery, the doses of each agent or therapy will inmost instances be lower than the corresponding dose for single-agenttherapy. Also, in general, the hedgehog inhibitors described herein andthe second therapeutic agent do not have to be administered in the samepharmaceutical composition, and may, because of different physical andchemical characteristics, be administered by different routes. Forexample, one compound can be administered orally, while the secondtherapeutic is administered intravenously. The determination of the modeof administration and the advisability of administration, wherepossible, in the same pharmaceutical composition, is well within theknowledge of the skilled clinician. The initial administration can bemade according to established protocols known in the art, and then,based upon the observed effects, the dosage, modes of administration andtimes of administration can be modified by the skilled clinician.

The hedgehog inhibitor and the second therapeutic agent and/or radiationmay be administered concurrently (e.g., simultaneously, essentiallysimultaneously or within the same treatment protocol) or sequentially(i.e., one followed by the other, with an optional time interval inbetween), depending upon the nature of the proliferative disease, thecondition of the patient, and the actual choice of second therapeuticagent and/or radiation to be administered.

If the hedgehog inhibitor, and the second therapeutic agent and/orradiation are not administered simultaneously or essentiallysimultaneously, then the optimum order of administration may bedifferent for different conditions. Thus, in certain situations thehedgehog inhibitor may be administered first followed by theadministration of the second therapeutic agent and/or radiation; and inother situations the second therapeutic agent and/or radiation may beadministered first followed by the administration of a hedgehoginhibitor. This alternate administration may be repeated during a singletreatment protocol. The determination of the order of administration,and the number of repetitions of administration of each therapeuticagent during a treatment protocol, is well within the knowledge of theskilled physician after evaluation of the disease being treated and thecondition of the patient. For example, the second therapeutic agentand/or radiation may be administered first, especially if it is acytotoxic agent, and then the treatment continued with theadministration of a hedgehog inhibitor followed, where determinedadvantageous, by the administration of the second therapeutic agentand/or radiation, and so on until the treatment protocol is complete.

Exemplification

The invention now being generally described, it will be more readilyunderstood by reference to the following examples, which are includedmerely for purposes of illustration of certain aspects and embodimentsof the present invention, and are not intended to limit the invention.

EXAMPLE 1

Step A

Cyclopamine 2 (5.02 g, 12.2 mmol, 1.0 eq) was dissolved in anhydrouspyridine (25 mL). DMAP (300 mg, 2.44 mmol, 0.2 eq.) and triethyl amine(5.5 mL, 39.1 mmol, 3.2 eq) were added, followed by BtO-Cbz (10.5 g,39.1 mmol, 3.2 eq) and the mixture was heated at 40° C. for 2 h. Themixture was cooled to rt, treated with 30 mL water, heated to get ahomogeneous solution and allowed to cool to rt. The white precipitatethat formed was collected by filtration, the filter cake was washed withportions of water (3×50 mL), and dried in air to afford 9.53 g of crudematerial which was crystallized from toluene/heptanes (1:9, 70 mL) togive 6.75 g of the desired product.

Step B

To a solution of diethyl zinc (572 mg, 482 μL, 4.63 mmol, 3 eq) in DCM(5.0 mL) at −20° C. was added a solution ofbis-(2,6-Dimethylphenyl)phosphoric acid (1.42 g, 4.63 mmol, 3 eq) in DCM(15 mL) maintaining the reaction temperature below −8° C. The solutionwas aged for 15 min. at 0° C., neat diiodomethane (1.24 g, 374 μL, 3 eq)was added, the mixture was aged for 15 min. at 0° C. before adding asolution of (Bis-CBz-cyclopamine, 1.05 g, 1.54 mmol, 1.0 eq), in DCM (10mL). The cooling bath was replaced by a water bath at rt and maintainedat rt for 4.5 h. The mixture was cooled to −76° C. with a dryice-acetone bath and treated drop wise with methanesulfonic acid DCMsolution (0.6 mL 50% v/v solution 4.63 mmol, 3.0 eq) maintaining thereaction temperature below −74° C. The mixture was aged for 15-20 min.and quenched drop wise with morpholine (2.69 g, 2.70 mL, 20 eq)maintaining the reaction temperature below −65° C. The cooling bath wasremoved, the reaction mixture was stirred for 16-18 h., the whiteprecipitate was filtered off, and the filtrate was successively washedwith 2.0 M HCl (2×20 mL), satd. sodium bicarbonate (2×20 mL), water(2×20 mL) and brine (20 mL). It was dried over magnesium sulfate,concentrated in vacuo to dryness and the crude was purified by silicagel flash chromatography (hexanes/EtOAc 17:3→4:1) to afford 924 mg (1.33mmol, 86%) of the desired product.

Step C

To a solution of compound 4 (4.05 g, 5.83 mmol, 1 eq) in a solution ofEtOAc:toluene (2:1, 60 mL) was added 20% palladium hydroxide on carbon(823 mg, 0.583 mmol, 0.1 eq.). The flask was evacuated and filled withhydrogen three times. The mixture was stirred under an atmosphere ofhydrogen for 1 h. Neat ethylene diamine (0.38 mL) was added, the mixturewas stirred for 1 h, and the catalyst was filtered off. The filter cakewas washed twice with EtOAc:toluene (2:1, 12 mL). The combined filtrateswere washed with a 2% aqueous solution of ethylene diamine (3×20 mL),dried over sodium sulfate and concentrated in vacuo to give 2.46 g ofcompound 5 as a white crystalline solid.

Step D

A round bottom flask was sequentially charged with the homo-allylicalcohol 14 (7.50 g, 17.6 mmol, 1 eq), aluminum tert-butoxide (6.10 g,24.8 mmol, 1.4 eq), anhydrous toluene (115 mL), and 2-butanone (90 g,1.24 mol, 7 eq). The suspension was heated under a nitrogen atmosphereto 75° C. for 16 h. The reaction temperature was then allowed to cool to49° C. Aqueous 20% (w/w) potassium sodium tartrate solution (226 g) wasadded to the stirred suspension. The suspension was stirred at rt for3.5 h. The layers were separated. The organic layer was washed withaqueous 20% Rochelle's salt (2×250 mL) and water (225 mL), then driedover sodium sulfate and filtered. The residue was rinsed with toluene(30 mL) and discarded. The combined organics were concentrated todryness. Residual reaction solvents were removed from the material byconcentrating from 2-propanol (250 mL added portion-wise) to a finalsolution mass of 44 g. Solvent exchange from 2-propanol to n-heptane(275 mL added portion-wise) to a final solution mass of 41 g fullyprecipitated the desired product. The suspension was diluted withadditional n-heptane (40 mL), stirred at rt for 1 h, and filtered. Theproduct was washed with n-heptane (17 mL) and dried to afford 5.4 g ofthe desired product.

Step E

A round-bottom flask was charged with starting material 6 (110 mg, 0.26mmol, 1 eq) and 10% palladium on carbon (106 mg). The solids weresuspended in pyridine (4 mL). The suspension was placed under hydrogenatmosphere (1 atm) and the mixture was stirred overnight at rt. Thereaction mixture was filtered through celite and the filtrateconcentrated in vacuo. The crude material was purified using silica gelflash chromatography (MeOH/DCM 5:95) to afford 93 mg of the desiredcompound.

Step F

A round-bottom flask was charged with compound 7 (4.23 g, 9.94 mmol, 1eq) and THF (60 mL). Triethylamine (6.92 mL, 49.7 mmol, 5.0 eq) andbenzyl chloroformate (1.54 mL, 10.93 mmol, 1.1 eq) were added and themixture was stirred for 1 h at rt. The reaction mixture was partitionedbetween saturated aqueous bicarbonate (100 mL) and EtOAc (100 mL). Thephases were separated and the organics were dried (Na₂SO₄) andconcentrated to dryness. The crude material was purified using silicagel flash chromatography (EtOAc/Hexanes 2:98→14:86) to give 3.75 g ofmaterial.

Step G

A dry round-bottom flask was charged with KOtBu (0.57 g, 5.1 mmol, 7 eq)and tBuOH (6 mL) and the solution was stirred at rt for 10 min. Compound8 (0.3 g, 0.73 mmol, 1 eq) was added and stirred for 5 min. The whitesuspension became a yellow clear solution. Ethyl formate (0.35 mL, 4.4mmol, 6 eq) was added dropwise, and the solution became slightly opaqueand produced bubbles. The slurry was stirred at rt for 48 h. The mixturewas then portioned between MTBE/1% NaOH (2×20 mL). The aqueous layer wasacidified with 2 N HCl until the pH reached 5, then extracted withchloroform (2×). The combined organic layers were washed with water,dried over Na₂SO₄, and concentrated to dryness to give 200 mg paleyellow foam. This material was used without further purification in thenext step.

Step H

A pyridine solution (4 mL) of compound 9 (200 mg, 0.33 mmol, 1.0 eq)heated at 110° C. was treated with an aqueous solution (1.2 mL) ofhydroxylamine HCl (71 mg, 1.0 mmol, 3 eq). After stirring for 4 min, themixture was partitioned between water and DCM (30 mL each). The organiclayer was washed with 1M aqueous HCl (30 mL) and then brine (30 mL),dried over sodium sulfate, and concentrated in vacuo. The crude residuewas purified by flash silica gel chromatography (10→40% ether/hexanes)to give the [3,2-c]-isoxazole as a white solid (87.0 mg).

The product carbamate isoxazole was dissolved in EtOAc (7 mL) in a flaskwith stir bar and rubber septum. The solution was sparged with nitrogen,and 10% Pd/C (wet, Degussa type E101, Aldrich, 25 mg) was added. Thismixture was sparged with nitrogen and then hydrogen gas and stirred atit for 2 h. The mixture was then sparged with nitrogen, filtered througha 0.45 μm polyethylene membrane and concentrated to a clear oil. The oilwas purified by flash silica gel chromatography (0.5% ammoniumhydroxide/2→10% MeOH/DCM), and the pure fractions were concentrated togive an oil that was lyophilized from 7% water/tBuOH, to afford thedesired product as a white powder (37 mg: [M+H]=451.7 m/z).

EXAMPLE 2

An ethanol solution (4 mL) of compound 9 (100.0 mg, 0.17 mmol, 1.0 eq)was treated with hydrazine (16 mg, 0.34 mmol, 2.0 eq) and heated at 70°C. for 0.5 h. The mixture was concentrated in vacuo and was purified byflash silica gel chromatography (20→60% ether/hexanes) to give theprotected pyrazole as a white solid (72.0 mg).

The product carbamate isoxazole was dissolved in EtOAc (7 mL) in a flaskwith stir bar and rubber septum. The solution was sparged with nitrogen,and 10% Pd/C (wet, Degussa type E101, Aldrich, 25 mg) was added. Thismixture was sparged with nitrogen and then hydrogen gas and stirred atit for 2 h. The mixture was then sparged with nitrogen, filtered througha 0.45 μm polyethylene membrane and concentrated to a clear oil. The oilwas purified by flash silica gel chromatography (0.5% ammoniumhydroxide/2→10% MeOH/DCM), and the pure fractions were concentrated togive an oil that was lyophilized from 7% water/tBuOH, to afford thedesired product as a white powder (37 mg: [M+H]=450.6 m/z).

EXAMPLE 3

Compound 11 was made according to the procedure described in example 2,using methyl hydrazine in place of hydrazine. ([M+H]=464.7 m/z)

EXAMPLE 4

An ethanol solution (4 mL) of compound 9 (100.0 mg, 0.17 mmol, 1.0 eq)was treated with hydrazine (16 mg, 0.34 mmol, 2.0 eq) and heated at 70°C. for 0.5 h. The mixture was concentrated in vacuo and was purified byflash silica gel chromatography (20→60% ether/hexanes) to give theprotected pyrazole as a white solid (72.0 mg).

The Cbz-protected pyrazole (200 mg, 0.34 mmol, 1.0 eq) was dissolved inpyridine (4 mL) and treated with methanesulfonyl chloride (117 mg, 1.03mmol, 3 eq) with stirring at rt. After 30 min the mixture waspartitioned between EtOAc (40 mL) and water (20 mL). The organic layerwas washed with brine (20 mL), dried over sodium sulfate, andconcentrated in vacuo. The resultant oil was purified by silica gelchromatography (10→20% EtOAc/hexanes) to give a clear oil (150 mg).

The methanesulfonyl pyrazole was dissolved in EtOAc (15 mL) in a flaskwith stir bar and rubber septum. The solution was sparged with nitrogen,and 10% Pd/C (wet, Degussa type E101, Aldrich, 50 mg) was added. Thismixture was sparged with nitrogen and then hydrogen gas and stirred atrt for 2 h. The mixture was then sparged with nitrogen, filtered througha 0.45 μm polyethylene membrane and concentrated to a clear oil. The oilwas purified by flash silica gel chromatography (0.5% ammoniumhydroxide/2→10% MeOH/DCM), and the pure fractions were concentrated togive an oil that was lyophilized from 7% water/t-butanol, affording thedesired product as a white powder (78 mg: [M+H]=528.8 m/z).

EXAMPLE 5

Compound 10 (60 mg, 0.13 mmol, 1.0 eq) was dissolved in DCM (1 mL) withMel (38 mg, 0.27 mmol, 2 eq) and stirred vigorously with potassiumcarbonate (74 mg, 0.53 mmol, 4.0 eq) at rt. After stirring for 1 h, themixture was partitioned between DCM (20 mL) and water, and the aqueouslayer was extracted with a second portion of DCM (20 mL). The combinedorganic layers were washed with brine (20 mL), dried over sodiumsulfate, and concentrated in vacuo. The resultant oil was purified bysilica gel flash chromatography (0.5% ammonium hydroxide/1→6% MeOH/DCM),and the pure fractions were concentrated to give an oil that waslyophilized from 7% water/t-butanol, affording the desired product as awhite powder (18 mg: [M+H]=464.6 m/z).

EXAMPLE 6

Compound 10 (80.0 mg, 0.19 mmol, 1.0 eq) was dissolved in dry DCM (2 mL)with diisopropylethylamine (115 mg, 0.9 mmol, 5 eq) and treated withacetyl chloride (42 mg, 0.54 mmol, 3 eq). After stirring for 30 min atrt, the mixture was concentrated in vacuo. The resulting residue wasrestored in 1:1 THF/MeOH (5 mL) and treated with ammonium hydroxide (0.5mL) with stirring for 1.5 h. This mixture was concentrated in vacuo andpurified by silica gel flash chromatography (0.5% ammoniumhydroxide/1→8% MeOH/DCM) to give a clear oil that was lyophilized from7% water/t-butanol to afford the desired product as a white powder (14mg: [M+H]=492.5 m/z).

EXAMPLE 7

Step A

A dry round-bottom flask was charged with KOtBu (0.70 g, 6.3 mmol, 7 eq)and tBuOH (10 mL) and the solution was stirred at rt for 10 min.Compound 8 (0.5 g, 0.89 mmol, 1 eq) was added and stirred for 5 min.Ethyl trifluoroacetate (0.64 ml, 5.4 mmol, 6 eq) was added dropwise, andthe solution became slightly opaque and produced bubbles. The slurry wasstirred at rt for 48 h. The mixture was diluted with DCM (40 mL) andwashed with water (2×30 mL). The organic layer was washed with brine (20mL), dried over Na₂SO₄, and concentrated to dryness to give 550 mg of apale orange foam. This material was used in the next step withoutfurther purification.

Step B

An ethanol solution (4 mL) of compound 16 (210 mg, 0.32 mmol, 1.0 eq)was treated with hydrazine (32 mg, 0.64 mmol, 2.0 eq) and heated at 80°C. for 1.5 h. The solution was concentrated in vacuo and purified bysilica gel flash chromatography (20→55% EtOAc/hexanes) to give the3-trifluoromethyl pyrazole as a white solid (95.0 mg).

The product carbamate pyrazole was dissolved in EtOAc (7 mL) in a flaskwith stir bar and rubber septum. The solution was sparged with nitrogen,and 10% Pd/C (wet, Degussa type E101, Aldrich, 25 mg) was added. Thismixture was sparged with nitrogen and then hydrogen gas and stirred atrt for 2 h. The mixture was then sparged with nitrogen, filtered througha 0.45 μm polyethylene membrane and concentrated to a clear oil. The oilwas purified by silica gel flash chromatography (0.5% ammoniumhydroxide/2→14% MeOH/DCM), and the pure fractions were concentrated togive an oil that was lyophilized from 7% water/t-butanol to afford thedesired product as a white powder (42 mg: [M+H]=518.8 m/z).

EXAMPLE 8

Step A

A dry round-bottom flask was charged with KOtBu (0.57 g, 5.1 mmol, 7 eq)and tBuOH (6 mL) and the solution was stirred at rt for 10 min. Compound7 (0.3 g, 0.73 mmol, 1 eq) was added and stirred for 5 min. Ethylformate (0.35 mL, 4.4 mmol, 6 eq) was added dropwise, and the solutionbecame slightly opaque and produced bubbles. The slurry was stirred atrt for 48 h. The mixture was portioned between MTBE/1% NaOH (2×20 mL).The aqueous layer was acidified with 2 N HCl until the pH was 5, thenextracted with chloroform (2×). The combined organic layers were washedwith water, dried over Na₂SO₄, and concentrated to dryness to give 200mg of a pale yellow foam. This material was used without furtherpurification.

Step B

A round-bottom flask was charged with compound 18 (195 mg, 0.44 mmol, 1eq). The material was dissolved in EtOH (3 mL) and hydrazine (43 μL,0.89 mmol, 2 eq) was added. The resulting mixture was heated to reflux.After 1 h the solution was cooled to rt. Solids crashed from solution,which were filtered, washed with heptane, and dried to afford 19 mg ofthe desired material ([M+H]=436.4 m/z).

EXAMPLE 9

Step A

A round-bottom flask was charged with potassium bis(trimethylsilyl)amide(580 mg, 1.04 mmol, 1 eq) and was dissolved in anhydrous THF (12 mL).The reaction mixture was cooled to −74° C. The reaction was charged withcompound 8 (310 mg, 1.55 mmol, 1.5 eq). The mixture was stirred for 0.5h and chlorotriethylsilane (234 mg, 1.55 mmol, 1.5 eq) in anhydrous THF(2 mL). The reaction mixture was stirred for 0.5 h and charged withwater (10 mL). The reaction mixture was warmed to rt and extracted withEtOAc. The organic was separated, dried and concentrated to dryness. Theresidue was purified using silica gel flash chromatography(EtOAc/hexanes 2%→6%) to afford the desired material.

Step B

A round-bottom flask was charged with a 37% aqueous formaldehydesolution (329 mg, 4.05 mmol, 5 eq) and diluted in THF (10 mL). Thereaction was cooled to −20° C. charged with a solution of startingmaterial (546 mg, 0.810 mmol, 1 eq) in THF (2 mL) and 1 Mtetrabutylammonium fluoride in THF (1.06 g, 4.05 mmol, 5 eq). Themixture was stirred for 0.5 h at −20° C. and partitioned between brineand EtOAc. The organic layer was separated, dried and concentrated invacuo. The residue was purified using silica gel flash chromatography(EtOAc/hexanes 10%→20%) to afford the desired material.

Step C

A round-bottom flask was charged with compound 21 (100 mg, 0.169 mmol, 1eq) and was dissolved in of DCM (5 mL). The reaction was cooled to 0° C.and charged with Dess-Martin periodinane (144 mg, 0.339 mmol, 2 eq). Themixture was stirred for 0.5 h at 0° C. The reaction mixture waspartitioned between a saturated aqueous solution of sodium bicarbonateand EtOAc. The organic was separated, dried and concentrated in vacuo.The residue was purified using silica gel flash chromatography(EtOAc/hexanes 5%→10%) to afford the desired material.

Step D

A round-bottom flask was charged with compound 22 (50 mg, 0.085 mmol, 1eq) and was dissolved in of EtOH (3 mL). The reaction was charged withhydrazine (27 mg, 0.851 mmol, 10 eq). The mixture was heated to 80° C.and stirred. After 0.5 h, the reaction mixture was concentrated invacuo. The residue was purified using silica gel flash chromatography(EtOAc/hexanes 50%) to afford the desired material.

Step E

A round-bottom flask was charged with compound 23 (43 mg, 0.074 mmol, 1eq) and 10% palladium on carbon (8 mg). The solids were suspended inEtOAc (3 mL). The suspension was placed under hydrogen atmosphere andthe mixture was stirred for 20 h at rt. The reaction mixture wasfiltered and the filtrate concentrated in vacuo. The residue waspurified using silica gel flash chromatography (MeOH/DCM 0%→5%) toafford the desired material.([M+H]=450.5 m/z).

EXAMPLE 10 Step A

To a solution of Compound 10 (72 mg, 0.16 mmol, 1 eq) in chloroform (1.4ml) at room temp, was added pyridine (215 mg, 2.72 mmol, 17 eq). Theresultant mixture was cooled to 0° C. and treated with benzoyl peroxide(388 mg, 1.60 mmol, 10 eq). The mixture was stirred for 1.5 hours andallowed to warm to room temp. The reaction mixture was diluted withwater (10 ml) and pH adjusted to 7˜8 with saturated sodium bicarbonatefollowed by extraction with chloroform (2×15 ml), the combined organiclayers were dried over Na₂SO₄, filtered and dried in vacuo. The residuewas purified by flash chromatography (Dichloromethane/Methanol 97:3).The target Compound 30 was obtained (26 mg, 0.046 mmol, ˜30% yield).

Step B

A solution of Compound 30 (26 mg, 0.046 mmol, 1 eq) in methanol (0.8 ml)at room temp was treated with 2N Potassium Hydroxide (19 mg, 0.342 mmol,7.5 eq). The resulting solution was stirred for 2 hours. The reactionmixture was diluted with water (10 ml) and pH adjusted to 6˜7 with 1NHCl followed by extraction with chloroform (3×10 ml), the combinedorganic layers dried over Na₂SO₄ and in vacuo. The residue was purifiedby preparative TLC (chloroform/methanol 90:10). The desired fractionswee frozen and lyophilized to yield Compound 31 as a white powder (11mg, 0.024 mmol, ˜52% yield).

EXAMPLE 11

Step A

A round-bottom flask was charged with compound 33 (2.0 g, 3.40 mmol, 1equiv.) and was dissolved in toluene (25 mL). The reaction was chargedwith DDQ (0.849 g, 3.74 mmol, 1.1 eq). The mixture was stirred for 0.5hr at rt. The reaction mixture was then concentrated in vacuo to 10% theoriginal volume. The residue was purified using silica gel flashchromatography (hexanes/EtOAc 10%→20%) to afford the desired material34.

Step B

A round-bottom flask was charged with 34 (123 mg, 0.21 mmol, 1 equiv.),DMF (3 mL) and MeOH (8.5 μL, 2.1 mmol, 10 equiv.). To this solution wasadded pyridinium dichromate (424 mg, 1.2 mmol, 6 equiv.). The slurry wasstirred for 4 days at 25° C. The mixture was diluted with EtOAc andwater. The mixture was filtered through a pad of celite, rinsed withEtOAc, then the layers were cut. The aqueous layer was extracted withone portion of EtOAc. Combined organic layers were washed with 1 N HCl,dried over Na₂SO₄, filtered, and concentrated to dryness. The crudematerial (232 mg) was dissolved with CH₂Cl₂, loaded onto a SiO₂ column(6 g) and eluted with hexanes/EtOAc (20%) to give the desired ester 35(36 mg).

Step C

A round-bottom flask was charged with 35 (35 mg, 0.057 mmol, 1 equiv.)and 3 mg of 10% Pd/C (wet, Aldrich Degussa type E101). The material wassuspended in EtOH (3 mL). The flask was sealed and purged three timeswith hydrogen and left overnight under 1 atm of hydrogen. The slurry wasfiltered through 0.2 micron Acrodisc and washed with EtOH. The solventwas concentrated to ˜3 mL under vacuum. To the ethanolic solution ofdeprotecting intermediate was added hydrazine hydrate (10 uL, 0.22 mmol,4 equiv.) and the mixture was heated to 70° C. for 4 h. The product wasprecipitated out of the reaction by chases with 2-propanol, thenheptane. The residue was purified by SiO₂ column (1 g) eluting withCH₂Cl₂/MeOH (10%). The major product was lyophilized from t-BuOH/7% H₂Oto give 15 mg of pyrazolone 32 ([M+H]=466.5 m/z).

Compounds 40-45 were made using techniques similar to those describedabove.

EXAMPLE 12

The starting material (50.0 mg) was suspended in DCM (1.5 ml) andstirred vigorously with sodium bicarbonate (28 mg, 0.33 mmol, 3 equiv)in water (0.50 ml). The mixture was treated with methanesulfonicanhydride (28 mg, 0.11 mmol, 1 equiv) and stirred for 15 minutes at roomtemperature. The mixture was split between ethyl acetate and water, andthe organic layer was then washed with brine and dried over sodiumsulfate. The residue obtained upon concentration was purified by flashsilica gel chromatography (50→100% ethyl acetate/hexanes) to provide awhite solid, Compound 40 (10 mg: [M+H]=528.1 m/z).

EXAMPLE 13

The starting material (100.0 mg, 0.22 mmol, 1 equiv) was suspended inDCM (3.0 ml) and stirred with pyridine (88 mg, 1.1 mmol, 5 equiv). Themixture was treated with methanesulfonic anhydride (97 mg, 0.55 mmol,2.5 equiv) and stirred for 15 minutes at room temperature. The mixturewas split between ethyl acetate and water, and the organic layer wasthen washed with brine and dried over sodium sulfate. The residueobtained upon concentration was purified by flash silica gelchromatography (20→50% ethyl acetate/hexanes) to provide a white solid,Compound 41 (50 mg: [M+H]=606.1 m/z).

EXAMPLE 14

Step A

A mixture of the starting material (300 mg, 0.51 mmol, 1 equiv), sodiumacetate (42 mg, 0.51 mmol, 1 equiv), and acetic acid (30 mg, 0.51 mmol,1 equiv) suspended in 10:1 dioxane/water (25 ml) was treated withN-bromosuccinimide (95 mg, 5.4 mmol, 1.05 equiv) and stirred at roomtemperature for 14 hours. The mixture was split between ethyl acetateand water, and the organic layer was then washed with brine and driedover sodium sulfate. The residue obtained upon concentration waspurified by flash silica gel chromatography (5→30% ethylacetate/hexanes) to provide a clear oil as a mixture of bromoketoneisomers (62 mg).

Step B

This bromoketone mixture was dissolved in ethanol (1 ml) and heated atreflux with thioacetamide (33 mg, 0.44 mmol, 4.6 equiv) for 3 hours. Themixture was split between ethyl acetate and water, and the organic layerwas then washed with brine and dried over sodium sulfate. The residueobtained upon concentration was purified by flash silica gelchromatography (5→35% ethyl acetate/hexanes) to provide a white solid(35 mg). This material was dissolved in ethanol (4 ml) and stirred undera hydrogen atmosphere with 20 mg of 10% Pd/C (wet Degussa type) for 1.5hours at room temperature. The mixture was filtered and its concentratedresidue purified by silica gel chromatography (0.5% NH₄OH/1→10%methanol/dichloromethane) to give a clear oil, Compound 42 (16 mg:[M+H]=481.1 m/z).

EXAMPLE 15

The starting material (140.0 mg, 0.24 mmol, 1 equiv) was suspended inDCM (3.0 ml) and stirred with pyridine (95 mg, 1.2 mmol, 5 equiv). Themixture was treated with toluenesulfonyl chloride (54 mg, 0.288 mmol,1.2 equiv) and stirred for 2 hours at room temperature. The mixture wassplit between ethyl acetate and water, and the organic layer was thenwashed with brine and dried over sodium sulfate. The residue obtainedupon concentration was purified by flash silica gel chromatography(5→30% ethyl acetate/hexanes) to provide a white solid. This materialwas dissolved in 1:1 ethanol/ethyl acetate (4 ml) and stirred under ahydrogen atmosphere with 30 mg of 10% Pd/C (wet Degussa type) for 1.5hours at room temperature. The mixture was filtered and its concentratedresidue purified by silica gel chromatography (0.5% NH₄OH/1→14%methanol/dichloromethane) to give a clear oil, Compound 43 (64 mg:[M+H]=604.1 m/z).

EXAMPLE 16

In dry dichloromethane (7 ml) at 0C, chlorosulfonyl isocyanate (1.0 g,7.06 mmol, 1 equiv) and benzyl alcohol (764 mg, 7.06 mmol, 1 equiv) werestirred for 30 min to form a 1M solution of Cbz-sulfamoyl chloride. In aseparate flask, the starting material (100.0 mg, 0.22 mmol, 1 equiv) wasdissolved in DCM (3.0 ml) with pyridine (88 mg, 1.1 mmol, 5 equiv) wastreated with the Cbz-sulfamoyl chloride (0.55 ml, mmol, 2.5 equiv) andstirred for 5 min at room temperature. The mixture was split betweenethyl acetate and water, and the organic layer was then washed withbrine and dried over sodium sulfate. The residue obtained uponconcentration was purified by flash silica gel chromatography (0.25%acetic acid/ 80→100% ethyl acetate/hexanes) to provide a white solid.This material was dissolved in 1:1 ethanol/ethyl acetate (4 ml) with0.25% acetic acid, and was stirred under a hydrogen atmosphere with 25mg of 10% Pd/C (wet Degussa type) for 1 hour at room temperature. Themixture was filtered and its concentrated residue purified by silica gelchromatography (0.25% acetic acid/80→100% ethyl acetate/hexanes) to givea clear white solid, Compound 44 (32 mg: 529.1 [M+H]=m/z).

EXAMPLE 17

A dry round-bottom flask was charged with KOtBu (0.49 g, 4.4 mmol, 7 eq)and tBuOH (5 mL) and the solution was stirred at rt for 10 min. Thestarting material (0.349 g, 0.623 mmol, 1 eq) was added and stirred for5 min. The white suspension became a yellow clear solution. Ethylformate (0.30 mL, 3.75 mmol, 6 eq) was added dropwise, and the solutionbecame slightly opaque and produced bubbles. The slurry was stirred atrt for 48 h. The mixture was then portioned between MTBE/1% aqueoussodium hydroxide (2×20 mL). The aqueous layer was acidified with 2 N HCluntil the pH reached 5, and then extracted twice with chloroform. Thecombined organic layers were washed with water, dried over Na₂SO₄, andconcentrated to dryness to give 200 mg pale yellow foam. This materialwas used without further purification in the next step.

An ethanol solution (4 mL) of the 2-formylketone (262 mg, 0.45 mmol, 1.0eq) was treated with hydrazine hydrate (50 mg, 0.90 mmol, 2.0 eq) andheated at 80° C. for 0.5 h. The mixture was concentrated in vacua andwas purified by flash silica gel chromatography (20→60% ethylacetate/hexanes) to give the protected pyrazole as a white solid (151mg). The intermediate carbamate was dissolved in 1:1 ethanol/ethylacetate (4 mL) in a flask with stir bar and rubber septum. The solutionwas sparged with nitrogen, and 10% Pd/C (wet, Degussa type E101,Aldrich, 30 mg) was added. This mixture was sparged with nitrogen andthen hydrogen gas and stirred at room temperature for 2 h. The mixturewas filtered and concentrated to a clear oil which was purified by flashsilica gel chromatography (0.5% ammonium hydroxide/1→10%methanol/dichloromethane) to give an oil that was lyophilized from 7%water/tBuOH, to afford the desired product, Compound 45, as a whitepowder (108.8 mg: 450.1 [M+H]=m/z).

EXAMPLE 18 Inhibition of the Hedgehog Pathway in Cell Culture UsingAnalogs of Steroidal Alkaloids

Hedgehog pathway specific cancer cell killing effects may be ascertainedusing the following assay. C3H10T1/2 cells differentiate intoosteoblasts when contacted with the sonic hedgehog peptide (Shh-N). Upondifferentiation, these osteoblasts produce high levels of alkalinephosphatase (AP) which can be measured in an enzymatic assay (Nakamura,et al., BBRC (1997) 237:465). Compounds that block the differentiationof C3H10T1/2 into osteoblasts (a Shh dependent event) can therefore beidentified by a reduction in AP production (van der Horst, et al., Bone(2003) 33:899). The assay details are described below. The resultsapproximate (EC₅₀ for inhibition) of the differentiation assay is shownbelow in Table 1.

Cell Culture

Mouse embryonic mesoderm fibroblasts C3H10T1/2 cells (obtained fromATCC) were cultured in Basal MEM Media (Gibco/Invitrogen) supplementedwith 10% heat inactivated FBS (Hyclone), 50 units/ml penicillin and 50ug/ml streptomycin (Gibco/Invitrogen) at 37° C. with 5% CO₂ in airatmosphere.

Alkaline Phosphatase Assay

C3H10T1/2 cells were plated in 96 wells with a density of 8×10³cells/well. Cells were grown to confluence (72 hrs). After sonicHedgehog (250 ng/ml), and/or compound treatment, the cells were lysed in110 μL of lysis buffer (50 mM Tris pH 7.4, 0.1% Triton×100), plates weresonicated and lysates spun through 0.2 μm PVDF plates (Corning). 40 μLof lysates was assayed for AP activity in alkaline buffer solution(Sigma) containing 1 mg/ml p-Nitrophenyl Phosphate. After incubating for30 min at 37° C., the plates were read on an Envision plate reader at405 nm. Total protein was quantified with a BCA protein assay kit fromPierce according to manufacturer's instructions. AP activity wasnormalized against total protein. “A” indicates that the IC₅₀ is lessthan 20 nM, “B” indicates that the IC₅₀ is 20-100 nM, “C” indicates thatthe IC₅₀ is >100 nM.

TABLE 1 Approximate EC₅₀ for Inhibition Compound Differentiation AssayEC₅₀ 1 B 10 A 11 B 12 C 13 B 14 B 15 C 17 B 19 C 31 B 32 C 40 B 41 C 42C 43 C 44 B 45 C

EXAMPLE 19 Pancreatic Cancer Model

The activity of Compound 10 was further tested in a human pancreaticmodel: BxPC-3 cells were implanted subcutaneously into the flanks of theright legs of mice. On day 42 post-tumor implant, the mice wererandomized into two groups to receive either Vehicle (30% HPBCD) orCompound 10. Compound 10 was administered orally at 40 mg/kg/day. Afterreceiving 25 daily doses, Compound 10 statistically reduced tumor volumegrowth by 37% when compared to the vehicle control (p=0.0437). At theend of the study, the tumors were harvested 4 hours post the last doseto evaluate an on target response by q-RT-PCR analysis of the HH pathwaygenes. Analysis of human Gli-1 resulted in no modulation. Analysis ofmurine Gli-1 mRNA levels resulted in a robust down-regulation in theCompound treated group, when compared to the Vehicle treated group.

The activity of Compound 10 was also tested in another model ofpancreatic cancer in which the PANC-1 pancreatic cancer cells wereimplanted into the orthotopic site, that is, directly into the pancreas.At the end of 5 weeks of dosing, 40 mg/kg/day (a total of 35 doses),tumor growth was monitored by weighing the tumors as they were removedfrom the animals. There was a statistically significant (p=0.00014)difference between the Compound 10 and vehicle treated animals which wasseen as a 47% decrease in tumor weight in the Compound 10 treatedanimals. In addition, tumor tissue was harvested and RNA was isolated 24hours after the final dose of Compound 10. A similar result was seen forthe PANC-1 cells as was seen for BxPC-3. Analysis of human Gli-1 mRNArevealed no modulation, while analysis of murine Gli-1 did revealmodulation. These data reveal that inhibition of the hedgehog pathway inmouse cells, but not human tumor cells, suggesting that one effect ofthe hedgehog pathway inhibitor is to affect a tumor-stroma interaction.

EXAMPLE 20 Medulloblastoma Model

The activity of Compound 10 was evaluated in a transgenic mouse model ofmedulloblastoma. Mice that are heterozygous for loss of functionmutations in the tumor suppressors Patched1 (Ptch1) and Hypermethylatedin Cancer (Hic1) develop spontaneous medulloblastoma. Similar to humanmedulloblastoma, these tumors demonstrate complete promoterhypermethylation of the remaining Hic1 allele, as well as loss ofexpression of the wild type Ptch1 allele. When passaged as subcutaneousallografts, these tumors grow aggressively and are Hedgehogpathway-dependent. This model was employed to evaluate the efficacy oforally administered Compound, and to correlate activity with drugexposure in plasma and tumors. Oral administration (PO) of a single doseof Compound 10 led to dose-dependent down-regulation of the HH pathwayin subcutaneously implanted tumors, as measured by decreased Gli-1 mRNAexpression 8 hours post dose administration.

Daily (QD) administration of the Compound PO led to a dose dependentinhibition of tumor growth, with frank tumor regression seen at higherdoses. The approximate effective daily oral dose for 50% inhibition oftumor growth (ED50) is between 8 mg/kg. When animals were treated QD for21 days, long term survival was observed following cessation oftreatment (>19 days), with little to no tumor re-growth. Thisdemonstrates that the hedgehog inhibitor Compound 10 inhibits both thehedgehog pathway and tumor growth in a tumor dependent on the hedgehogpathway due to a genetic mutation.

Incorporation by Reference

All of the U.S. patents and U.S. published patent applications citedherein are hereby incorporated by reference.

Equivalents

Those skilled in the art will recognize, or be able to ascertain usingno more than routine experimentation, many equivalents to the specificembodiments of the invention described herein. Such equivalents areintended to be encompassed by the following claims.

1-26. (canceled)
 27. A method of treating cancer comprisingadministering to a subject in need thereof a therapeutically effectiveamount of a compound of Formula 1a or 1b:

or a tautomer or pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, wherein: R¹is H, alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, aryl, cycloalkyl, hydroxyl, aralkyl,heteroaryl, heteroaralkyl, haloalkyl, —SR²⁰, —OR²⁰, —C(O)R²⁰, —CO₂R²⁰,—OC(O)R²⁰, —C(O)N(R²⁰)(R²⁰), —S(O)R²⁰, —S(O)₂R²⁰, —S(O)₂N(R²⁰)(R²⁰),—[(W)—C(O)]_(p)R²⁰, —[(W)—C(O)O]_(p)R²⁰, —[(W))—OC(O)]_(p)R²⁰,—[(W)—SO₂]_(p)R²⁰, —[(W)—N(R²⁰)SO₂]_(p)R²⁰, —[(W)—C(O)N(R²⁰)]_(p)R²⁰,—[(W)—O]_(p)R²⁰, —[(W)—N(R²⁰)]_(p)R²⁰, or —[(W)—S]_(p)R²⁰; each of R²,R⁶ and R⁹ is independently H, alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, cycloalkyl,heterocycloalkyl, aryl, aralkyl, heteroaryl, heteroaralkyl, nitrile,alkoxyl, aryloxy, acyloxy, halide, hydroxyl, amino, alkylamino,arylamino, acylamino, aralkylamino, alkylseleno, aralkylseleno,arylseleno, alkylthio, aralkylthio, or arylthio; R³ is H; or R² and R³taken together form a bond; each of R⁴ and R⁵ independently is H, alkyl,alkenyl, alkynyl, aryl, cycloalkyl, nitrile, aralkyl, alkoxyl, aryloxy,acyloxy, halide, sulfhydryl, alkylthio, arylthio, aralkylthio, hydroxyl,amino, alkylamino, arylamino, acylamino, aralkylamino, heteroaryl, orheteroaralkyl; or R⁴ and R⁵ taken together form ═O, ═S, ═N(R²⁰),═N—OR²⁰, or ═N(N(R²⁰)₂); each of R⁷ and R⁸ independently is H, alkyl,alkenyl, alkynyl, aryl, cycloalkyl, heterocycloalkyl, or aralkyl; or R⁶and R⁷ taken together form a bond; or R⁸ and R⁹ taken together form abond; each of R¹⁰ and R¹¹ independently is H, alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl,aryl, cycloalkyl, heterocycloalkyl, or aralkyl; or R⁹ and R¹⁰ takentogether form a bond; or R¹⁰ and R¹¹ taken together form a bond; R²⁰independently for each occurrence is H, alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, aryl,cycloalkyl, heterocycloalkyl, aralkyl, heteroaryl, heteroaralkyl, or—[C(R)₂]_(q)—R²¹; or any two occurrences of R²⁰ can be taken together toform a 4-8 membered optionally substituted ring which contains 0-3heteroatoms selected from N, O, S, and P; R²¹ independently for eachoccurrence is H, cycloalkyl, aryl, heteroaryl, heterocyclyl; alkoxyl,aryloxy, acyloxy, halide, sulfhydryl, alkylthio, arylthio, aralkylthio,hydroxyl, amino, acylamino, amido, or carbonyl-containing group; R²²independently for each occurrence is H, halide, ester, amide, ornitrile; R²³ independently for each occurrence is H, alkyl, alkenyl,alkynyl, cycloalkyl, aryl, aralkyl, heteroaryl, heteroaralkyl,perhaloalkyl, halide, nitro, nitrile, ═O, —SR²⁰, —OR²⁰,—N(R^(20), —C(O)R) ²⁰, —CO₂R²⁰, —OC(O)R²⁰, —C(O)N(R²⁰), —N(R²⁰)C(O)R²⁰,—N(R²⁰)C(O)N(R²⁰)(R²⁰), —S(O)R²⁰, —S(O)₂R²⁰, —S(O)₂N(R²⁰)(R²⁰),—N(R²⁰)S(O)₂R²⁰, or —[C(R)₂]_(q)—R²¹; R²⁴ independently for eachoccurrence is H, alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, cycloalkyl, aryl, aralkyl,heteroaryl, heteroaralkyl, perhaloalkyl, halide, nitro, nitrile, —SR²⁰,—OR²⁰, —N(R²⁰)(R²⁰), —C(O)R²⁰, —CO₂R²⁰, —OC(O)R²⁰, —C(O)N(R²⁰)(R²⁰),—N(R²⁰)C(O)R²⁰, —N(R²⁰)C(O)N(R²⁰)(R²⁰), —S(O)R²⁰, —S(O)₂R²⁰,—S(O)₂N(R²⁰)(R²⁰), —N(R²⁰)S(O)₂R²⁰, or —[C(R²⁰)₂]_(q)—R²¹; p is 0, 1, 2,3, 4, 5, or 6; q is 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, or 6; R independently for eachoccurrence is H, alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, cycloalkyl, aryl, aralkyl,heteroaryl, or heteroarylalkyl; -T¹-T²-T³- is Y-B-A, B-Y-A, or A-B-Y;each of A and B independently is N, S or C(R²³); W is a diradical; X isa bond or —C(R22)₂—; Y is —O—, —S—, or —N(R²⁴)—; and each alkyl,alkenyl, alkynyl, aryl, cycloalkyl, heterocycloalkyl, aralkyl,heteroaryl, heteroaralkyl, whether alone or part of another group, isoptionally substituted.
 28. The method according to claim 27, wherein R¹is H, alkyl, hydroxyl, aralkyl, heteroaryl, heteroaralkyl, —OR²⁰,—C(O)R²⁰, —CO₂R²⁰, —C(O)N(R²⁰)(R²⁰), —S(O)₂R²⁰, —S(O)₂N(R²⁰)(R²⁰),—[(W)—C(O)]_(p)R²⁰, —[(W)—C(O)O]_(p)R²⁰, —[(W)—OC(O)]_(p)R²⁰,—[(W)—SO₂]_(p)R²⁰, —[(W)—N(R²⁰)SO₂]_(p)R²⁰, —[(W)—C(O)N(R²⁰)]_(p)R²⁰,—[(W)—O]_(p)R²⁰, —[(W)—N(R²⁰)]_(p)R²⁰, —[(W)—S]_(p)R²⁰.
 29. The methodaccording to claim 28, wherein R¹ is H, alkyl, hydroxyl, —C(O)R²⁰,—CO₂R²⁰ or —S(O)₂R²⁰.
 30. The method according to claim 27, wherein R²and R³ taken together form a bond.
 31. The method according to claim 27,wherein R⁴ and R⁵ are each H; or R⁴ and R⁵ taken together form ═O or ═S.32. The method according to claim 31, wherein R⁴ and R⁵ are each H. 33.The method according to claim 27, wherein R⁶, R⁷, R⁸, R⁹, R¹⁰, and R¹¹are each independently H or alkyl.
 34. The method according to claim 27,wherein R⁶, R⁸, R⁹, R¹⁰, and R¹¹ are each H.
 35. The method according toclaim 27, wherein X is a bond or —CH₂—.
 36. The method according toclaim 35, wherein X is —CH₂—.
 37. The method according to claim 27,wherein Y is —O— or —N(R²⁴)—.
 38. The method according to claim 37,wherein Y is —N(R²⁴)—.
 39. The method according to claim 27, wherein-T¹-T²-T³- is A-B-Y, A is CR²³, B is N and Y is NR²⁴; or -T¹-T²-T³- isB-Y-A, A is N, B is CR²³ and Y is NR²⁴.
 40. The method according toclaim 27, wherein -T¹-T²-T³- is B-Y-A, A is CR²³, B is N and Y is NR²⁴;or -T¹-T²-T³- is B-Y-A, A is N, B is CR²³ and Y is O; or -T¹-T²-T³- isY-B-A, A is N, B is CR²³ and Y is S.
 41. The method according to claim27, wherein R²⁴ is H, alkyl, or —S(O)₂R²⁰.
 42. The method according toclaim 27, wherein the compound of Formula 1a is a compound of theFormula 6a:

or a tautomer or pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, wherein: R¹is H, alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, aryl, cycloalkyl, hydroxyl, aralkyl,heteroaryl, heteroaralkyl, haloalkyl, —SR²⁰, —OR²⁰, —C(O)R²⁰, —CO₂R²⁰,—OC(O)R²⁰, —C(O)N(R²⁰)(R²⁰), —S/(O)R²⁰, —S(O)₂R²⁰, —S(O)₂N(R²⁰)(R²⁰),—[(W)—C(O)]_(p)R²⁰, —[(W)—C(O)O]_(p)R²⁰, —[(W)—OC(O)]_(p)R²⁰,—[(W)—SO₂]_(p)R²⁰, —[(W)—N(R²⁰)SO₂]_(p)R²⁰, —[(W)—C(O)N(R²⁰)]_(p)R²⁰,—[(W)—O]_(p)R²⁰, —[(W)—N(R²⁰)]_(p)R²⁰, or —[(W)—S]_(p)R²⁰; each of R⁴and R⁵ independently is H, alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, aryl, cycloalkyl,nitrile, aralkyl, alkoxyl, aryloxy, acyloxy, halide, sulthydryl,alkylthio, arylthio, aralkylthio, hydroxyl, amino, alkylamino,arylamino, acylamino, aralkylamino, heteroaryl, or heteroaralkyl; or R⁴and R⁵ taken together form ═O, ═S, ═N(R²⁰), ═N—OR²⁰, or ═N(N(R²⁰)₂); R²⁰independently for each occurrence is H, alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, aryl,cycloalkyl, heterocycloalkyl, aralkyl, heteroaryl, heteroaralkyl, or—[C(R)₂]_(q)—R²¹; or any two occurrences of R²⁰ can be taken together toform a 4-8 membered optionally substituted ring which contains 0-3heteroatoms selected from N, O, S, and P; R²¹ independently for eachoccurrence is H, cycloalkyl, aryl, heteroaryl, heterocyclyl; alkoxyl,aryloxy, acyloxy, halide, sulfhydryl, alkylthio, arylthio, aralkylthio,hydroxyl, amino, acylamino, amido, or carbonyl-containing group; R²²independently for each occurrence is H, halide, ester, amide, ornitrile; R²³ independently for each occurrence is H, alkyl, alkenyl,alkynyl, cycloalkyl, aryl, aralkyl, heteroaryl, heteroaralkyl,perhaloalkyl, halide, nitro, nitrile, ═O, —SR²⁰, —OR²⁰, —N(R²⁰)(R²⁰),—C(O)R²⁰, —CO₂R²⁰, —OC(O)R²⁰, —C(O)N(R²⁰)(R²⁰), —N(R²⁰)C(O)R²⁰,—N(R²⁰)C(O)N(R²⁰)(R²⁰), —S(O)R²⁰, —S(O)₂R²⁰, —S(O)₂N(R²⁰)(R^(20 ), —N(R)²⁰)S(O)₂R²⁰, or —[C(R)₂]_(q)—R²¹; R²⁴ independently for each occurrenceis H, alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, cycloalkyl, aryl, aralkyl, heteroaryl,heteroaralkyl, perhaloalkyl, halide, nitro, nitrile, —SR²⁰, —OR²⁰,—N(R²⁰)(R²⁰), —C(O)R²⁰, —CO₂R²⁰, —OC(O)R²⁰, —C(O)N(R²⁰)(R²⁰),—N(R²⁰)C(O)R²⁰, —N(R²⁰)C(O)N(R²⁰)(R²⁰), —S(O)R²⁰, —S(O)₂R²⁰,—S(O)₂N(R²⁰)(R²⁰), —N(R²⁰)S(O)₂R²⁰, or —[C(R²⁰)₂]_(q)—R²¹; p is 0, 1, 2,3, 4, 5, or 6; q is 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, or 6; R independently for eachoccurrence is H, alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, cycloalkyl, aryl, aralkyl,heteroaryl, or heteroarylalkyl; -T¹-T²-T³- is Y-B-A, B-Y-A, or A-B-Y;each of A and B independently is N, S or C(R²³); W is a diradical; X isa bond or —C(R²²)₂—; Y is —O—, —S—, or —N(R²⁴)—; and each alkyl,alkenyl, alkynyl, aryl, cycloalkyl, heterocycloalkyl, aralkyl,heteroaryl, heteroaralkyl, whether alone or part of another group, isoptionally substituted.
 43. The method according to claim 42, wherein R¹is H, alkyl, hydroxyl, aralkyl, heteroaryl, heteroaralkyl, —OR²⁰,—C(O)R²⁰, —CO₂R²⁰, —C(O)N(R²⁰)(R²⁰), —S(O)₂R²⁰, —S(O)₂N(R²⁰)(R²⁰),—[(W)—C(O)]_(p)R²⁰, —[(W)—C(O)O]_(p)R²⁰, —[(W)—OC(O)]_(p)R²⁰,—[(W)—SO₂]_(p)R²⁰, —[(W)—N(R²⁰)SO₂]_(p)R²⁰, —[(W)—C(O)N(R²⁰)]_(p)R²⁰,—[(W)—O]_(p)R²⁰, —[(W)—N(R²⁰)]_(p)R²⁰, or —[(W)—S]_(p)R²⁰.
 44. Themethod according to claim 43, wherein R¹ is H, alkyl, hydroxyl,—C(O)R²⁰, —CO₂R²⁰ or —S(O)₂R²⁰.
 45. The method according to claim 42,wherein R⁴ and R⁵ are each H.
 46. The method according to claim 42,wherein X is a bond or —CH₂—.
 47. The method according to claim 46,wherein X is —CH₂—.
 48. The method according to claim 42, wherein Y is—O— or —N(R²⁴)—.
 49. The method according to claim 48, wherein Y is—N(R²⁴)—.
 50. The method according to claim 42, wherein -T¹-T²-T³- isA-B-Y, A is CR²³, B is N and Y is NR²⁴; or -T¹-T²-T³- is B-Y-A, A is N,B is CR²³ and Y is NR²⁴.
 51. The method according to claim 42, wherein-T¹-T²-T³- is B-Y-A, A is CR²³, B is N and Y is NR²⁴; or -T¹-T²-T³- isB-Y-A, A is N, B is CR²³ and Y is 0; or -T¹-T²-T³- is Y-B-A, A is N, Bis CR²³ and Y is S.
 52. The method according to claim 42, wherein R²⁴ isH, alkyl, or —S(O)₂R²⁰.
 53. The method according to claim 27, whereinthe compound of Formula lb is a compound of the Formula 11b:

or a tautomer or pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, wherein: R¹is H, alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, aryl, cycloalkyl, hydroxyl, aralkyl,heteroaryl, heteroaralkyl, haloalkyl, —SR²⁰, —OR²⁰, —C(O)R²⁰, —CO₂R²⁰,—OC(O)R²⁰, —C(O)N(R²⁰)(R²⁰), —S(O)R²⁰, —S(O)₂R²⁰, —S(O)₂N(R²⁰)(R²⁰),—[(W)—C(O)]_(p)R²⁰, —[(W)—C(O)O]_(p)R²⁰, —[(W)—OC(O)]_(p)R²⁰,—[(W)—SO₂]_(p)R²⁰, —[(W)—N(R²⁰)SO₂]_(p)R²⁰, —[(W)—C(O)N(R²⁰)]_(p)R²⁰,—[(W)—O]_(p)R²⁰, —[(W)—N(R²⁰)]_(p)R²⁰, or —[(W)—S]_(p)R²⁰; each of R⁴and R⁵ independently is H, alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, aryl, cycloalkyl,nitrile, aralkyl, alkoxyl, aryloxy, acyloxy, halide, sulfhydryl,alkylthio, arylthio, aralkylthio, hydroxyl, amino, alkylamino,arylamino, acylamino, aralkylamino, heteroaryl, or heteroaralkyl; or R⁴and R⁵ taken together form —O, ═S, ═N(R²⁰), ═N—OR²⁰, or ═N(N(R²⁰)₂); R²⁰independently for each occurrence is H, alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, aryl,cycloalkyl, heterocycloalkyl, aralkyl, heteroaryl, heteroaralkyl, or—[C(R)₂]—R²¹; or any two occurrences of R²⁰ can be taken together toform a 4-8 membered optionally substituted ring which contains 0-3heteroatoms selected from N, O, S, and P; R²¹ independently for eachoccurrence is H, cycloalkyl, aryl, heteroaryl, heterocyclyl; alkoxyl,aryloxy, acyloxy, halide, sulfhydryl, alkylthio, arylthio, aralkylthio,hydroxyl, amino, acylamino, amido, or carbonyl-containing group; R²²independently for each occurrence is H, halide, ester, amide, ornitrile; R²³ independently for each occurrence is H, alkyl, alkenyl,alkynyl, cycloalkyl, aryl, aralkyl, heteroaryl, heteroaralkyl,perhaloalkyl, halide, nitro, nitrile, ═O, —SR²⁰, —OR²⁰, —N(R²⁰)(R²⁰),—C(O)R²⁰, —CO₂R²⁰, —OC(O)R²⁰, —C(O)N(R²⁰)(R²⁰), —N(R²⁰)C(O)R²⁰,—N(R²⁰)C(O)N(R²⁰)(R²⁰), —S(O)R²⁰, —S(O)₂R²⁰, —S(O)₂N(R²⁰)(R²⁰),—N(R²⁰)S(O)₂R²⁰, or —[C(R)₂]_(q)—R²¹; R²⁴ independently for eachoccurrence is H, alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, cycloalkyl, aryl, aralkyl,heteroaryl, heteroaralkyl, perhaloalkyl, halide, nitro, nitrile, —SR²⁰,—OR²⁰, —N(R²⁰)(R²⁰), —C(O)R²⁰, —CO₂R²⁰, —OC(O)R²⁰, —C(O)N(R²⁰)(R²⁰),—N(R²⁰)C(O)R²⁰, —N(R²⁰)C(O)N(R²⁰)(R²⁰), —S(O)R²⁰, —S(O)₂R²⁰,—S(O)₂N(R²⁰)(R²⁰), —N(R²⁰)S(O)₂R²⁰, or —[C(R²⁰)₂]_(q)—R²¹; p is 0, 1, 2,3, 4, 5, or 6; q is 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, or 6; R independently for eachoccurrence is H, alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, cycloalkyl, aryl, aralkyl,heteroaryl, or heteroarylalkyl; -T^(I)-T²--T³- is Y-B-A, B-Y-A, orA-B-Y; each of A and B independently is N, S or C(R²³); W is adiradical; X is a bond or —C(R²²)₂—; Y is —O—, —S—, or —N(R²⁴)—; andeach alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, aryl, cycloalkyl, heterocycloalkyl,aralkyl, heteroaryl, heteroaralkyl, whether alone or part of anothergroup, is optionally substituted.
 54. The method according to claim 53,wherein R¹ is H, alkyl, hydroxyl, aralkyl, heteroaryl, heteroaralkyl,—OR²⁰, —C(O)R²⁰, —CO₂R²⁰, —C(O)N(R²⁰)(R²⁰), —S(O)₂R²⁰,—S(O)₂N(R²⁰)(R²⁰), —[(W)—C(O)]_(p)R²⁰, —[(W)—C(O)]_(p)R²⁰,—[(W)—OC(O)]_(p)R²⁰, —[(W)—SO₂]_(p)R²⁰, —[(W)—N(R²⁰)SO₂]_(p)R²⁰,—[(W)—C(O)N(R²⁰)]_(p)R²⁰, —[(W)—O]_(p)R²⁰, '[(W)—N(R²⁰)]_(p)R²⁰, or—[(W)—S]_(p)R²⁰.
 55. The method according to claim 54, wherein R¹ is H,alkyl, hydroxyl, —C(O)R²⁰, —CO₂R²⁰ or —S(O)₂R²⁰.
 56. The methodaccording to claim 53, wherein R⁴ and R⁵ are each H.
 57. The methodaccording to claim 53, wherein X is a bond or —CH₂—.
 58. The methodaccording to claim 57, wherein X is —CH₂—.
 59. The method according toclaim 53, wherein Y is —O— or 'N(R²⁴)—.
 60. The method according toclaim 59, wherein Y is —N(R²⁴)—.
 61. The method according to claim 53,wherein -T¹-T²-T³- is A-B-Y, A is CR²³, B is N and Y is NR²⁴; or-T¹-T²-T³- is B-Y-A, A is N, B is CR²³ and Y is NR²⁴.
 62. The methodaccording to claim 53, wherein -T¹-T²-T³- is B-Y-A, A is CR²³, B is Nand Y is NR²⁴; or -T¹-T²-T³- is B-Y-A, A is N, B is CR²³ and Y is O; or-T¹-T²-T³- is Y-B-A, A is N, B is CR²³ and Y is S.
 63. The methodaccording to claim 53, wherein R²⁴ is H, alkyl, or —S(O)₂R²⁰.
 64. Themethod according to any one of claim 27, 42 or 53, wherein the cancer isselected from lung cancer, medulloblastoma, brain cancer, pancreaticcancer, basal cell carcinoma, breast cancer, prostate cancer,gastrointestinal stromal tumor, colon cancer, colorectal cancer, ovariancancer, multiple myeloma, acute lymphocytic leukemia, acute myelocyticleukemia, chronic myelocytic leukemia, chronic lymphocytic leukemia,Hodgkin lymphoma, non-Hodgkin lymphoma, myelodysplastic syndrome,polycythemia Vera, Waldenstrom's macroglobulinemia, heavy chain disease,fibrosarcoma, myxosarcoma, liposarcoma, chondrosarcoma, osteogenicsarcoma, chordoma, angiosarcoma, endotheliosarcoma, lymphangiosarcoma,lymphangioendotheliosarcoma, synovioma, mesothelioma, Ewing's tumor,leiomyosarcoma, rhabdomyosarcoma, squamous cell carcinoma, melanoma,adenocarcinoma, sweat gland carcinoma, sebaceous gland carcinoma,papillary carcinoma, papillary adenocarcinomas, stadenocarcinoma,medullary carcinoma, bronchogenic carcinoma, renal cell carcinoma,hepatoma, bile duct carcinoma, choriocarcinoma, seminoma, embryonalcarcinoma, Wilms' tumor, cervical cancer, uterine cancer, testicularcancer, bladder carcinoma, epithelial carcinoma, glioma, astrocytoma,medulloblastoma, craniopharyngioma, ependymoma, pinealoma,hemangioblastoma, acoustic neuroma, oligodendroglioma, meningioma,neuroblastoma, retinoblastoma, endometrial cancer, follicular lymphoma,diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, mantle cell lymphoma, hepatocellularcarcinoma, thyroid cancer, gastric cancer, esophageal cancer, head andneck cancer, small cell cancers, essential thrombocythemia, agnogenicmyeloid metaplasia, hypereosinophilic syndrome, systemic mastocytosis,familiar hypereosinophilia, chronic eosinophilic leukemia, thyroidcancer, neuroendocrine cancers, and carcinoid tumors.
 65. A method oftreating cancer comprising administering to a subject in need thereof atherapeutically effective amount of a compound selected from the groupconsisting of:

or a tautomer or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.
 66. Themethod according to claim 65, wherein the cancer is selected from lungcancer, medulloblastoma, brain cancer, pancreatic cancer, basal cellcarcinoma, breast cancer, prostate cancer, gastrointestinal stromaltumor, colon cancer, colorectal cancer, ovarian cancer, multiplemyeloma, acute lymphocytic leukemia, acute myelocytic leukemia, chronicmyelocytic leukemia, chronic lymphocytic leukemia, Hodgkin lymphoma,non-Hodgkin lymphoma, myelodysplastic syndrome, polycythemia Vera,Waldenstrom's macroglobulinemia, heavy chain disease, fibrosarcoma,myxosarcoma, liposarcoma, chondrosarcoma, osteogenic sarcoma, chordoma,angiosarcoma, endotheliosarcoma, lymphangiosarcoma,lymphangioendotheliosarcoma, synovioma, mesothelioma, Ewing's tumor,leiomyosarcoma, rhabdomyosarcoma, squamous cell carcinoma, melanoma,adenocarcinoma, sweat gland carcinoma, sebaceous gland carcinoma,papillary carcinoma, papillary adenocarcinomas, stadenocarcinoma,medullary carcinoma, bronchogenic carcinoma, renal cell carcinoma,hepatoma, bile duct carcinoma, choriocarcinoma, seminoma, embryonalcarcinoma, Wilms' tumor, cervical cancer, uterine cancer, testicularcancer, bladder carcinoma, epithelial carcinoma, glioma, astrocytoma,medulloblastoma, craniopharyngioma, ependymoma, pinealoma,hemangioblastoma, acoustic neuroma, oligodendroglioma, meningioma,neuroblastoma, retinoblastoma, endometrial cancer, follicular lymphoma,diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, mantle cell lymphoma, hepatocellularcarcinoma, thyroid cancer, gastric cancer, esophageal cancer, head andneck cancer, small cell cancers, essential thrombocythemia, agnogenicmyeloid metaplasia, hypereosinophilic syndrome, systemic mastocytosis,familiar hypereosinophilia, chronic eosinophilic leukemia, thyroidcancer, neuroendocrine cancers, and carcinoid tumors.